Beloki goes for Brioche

The 30-year-old Spaniard's name had been linked to negotiation rumours at Cofidis, Lampre, Saeco, Gerolsteiner, Phonak, CSC and -- most recently -- the new Italian squad Stayer, which was reportedly close to inking a Beloki deal just last week.

The Brioche la Boulangère announcement was unexpected but had apparently been in the works for "over a month," team boss Philippe Raimbaud told French news agency AFP. "This signing marks a major achievement for the squad," Raimbaud said, giving Beloki the accolade of team leader alongside reigning French national champion Didier Rous and up-and-coming Frenchman Sylvain Chavanel.

In the professional ranks since 1998, Beloki was a mainstay at the now-defunct Spanish ONCE formation from 2001 through 2003. ONCE's spirit will live on in 2004 under the colours of new team Liberty Seguros, helmed by long-time ONCE manager Manolo Saiz.

Saiz had hoped to cajole Beloki to his new team, but lost the bidding war for one of cycling's hottest commodities.

Victim of a multiple-fracture, season-ending crash at July's Tour de France, Beloki will ride 2004 with the goal of finally finding the top spot on the Tour's overall podium.