Beloki signs for Liberty Seguros

Beloki had a poor season in 2004

Joseba Beloki has joined the Liberty Seguros team for next season following his split with Saunier Duval.

The Spaniard, who earned Tour de France podium places between 2000 and 2002, will be reunited with his former ONCE team leader Manolo Saiz.

Beloki has failed to recapture his best form after suffering a broken leg during the 2003 Tour.

"My aim is to be the rider that I once was during the Tour," he told Spanish sports daily Marca.

"After many days of uncertainty and anxiety about my future, at last I'll be able to sleep well."

Beloki has experienced a string of injury and health problems since suffering multiple fractures in his Tour crash.

He joined the French-based La Boulangere team at the start of the year after ONCE was dissolved, but his season start was delayed by an Achilles tendon injury and allergy problems then hindered his training.

He split with the team in June and, after missing out on the Tour de France, moved to Saunier Duval in order to prepare for the end-of-season Tour of Spain.

But the 31-year-old dropped out of the race in the 16th stage while lying 81st in the standings.

Beloki is likely to share leadership of Liberty Seguros with Tour of Spain winner Roberto Heras.

Liberty are one of the teams selected to take part in the UCI Pro Tour events next season.