Hunter home to Barloworld

"I've always wanted to ride for a South African-sponsored team and Team Barloworld have certainly proven to their critics that they are a competitive team who are entrenching themselves in the international cycling circuit," the 29-year-old sprinter told the team's official website.

Hunter has raced with Phonak for two years, but now that the squad has lost its sponsorship for 2007 he will move to the semi-pro team, which relies on the Grand Tours for wild card bids in order to compete in the Vuelta, the Giro and the Tour de France.

Barloworld have also joined the hunt for former CSC leader and Giro D'Italia winner Ivan Basso, with Basso's agent saying he has received an offer from the team.

In Hunter the team gets a fine sprinter and an experienced domestique, who has raced in five editions of the Tour de France, one Giro D'Italia and three Vueltas.

"We are thrilled to have this world-class rider joining our team," said Barloworld's Head of Corporate Marketing Chris Fisher.

"We need experienced riders in our team if we are to continue to take on the best in the cycling world."