 In 2011, he was signed by Russian to be a domestique for Filippo Pozzato both at classics and Grand Tours.However, due to Pozzato's poor performance and traumas in season 2011, he switched to other co-riders and pursued his personal goals in the peloton.In autumn 2011 he finished third at Giro del Piemonte having taken his first podium for Team Katusha.