Two of British Cycling's Academy talents have confirmed they will be joining WorldTour teams for 2012.
Team Sky's much-anticipated signing of Luke Rowe was confirmed today (September 5), while An Post-Sean Kelly rider Andy Fenn will join the new Belgian Omega Pharma-Quick Step super team.
Fenn, who won the junior Paris-Roubaix three years ago, has enjoyed a successful season with his current squad, winning a stage in the Tour of Brittany and the Memorial Van Coningsloo one-day race.
Speaking to Cycling Weekly this afternoon, Fenn said: "It's been my aim to move to a WorldTour team, and I'm joining a squad that is going to have so much talent in it."
"I'm hopeful of finding my feet quickly and doing what I'm asked to do."
Despite the number of more experienced riders on the market, the new team's enthusiasm to secure Fenn's services never waned.
"I really appreciate the offer they have made and it shows they're keen to develop younger talent," he said.
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Rowe's Sky ride official at last
21-year-old Rowe, who is currently competing in the Tour de l'Avenir, follows in the footsteps of Peter Kennaugh, Ben Swift and Ian Stannard, who have all joined Sky after a successful spell on BC's development programmes.
Sky Team Principal Dave Brailsford said: "Luke Rowe is one of this country's outstanding prospects for the future. At Team Sky we are determined to ensure that the best British talent have the opportunity to compete at the highest level of our sport.
Rowe and Kennaugh: National Madison champions, 2011
"We have watched him grow from a promising teenager into a well-rounded and gifted rider and are delighted to be able offer him his first professional contract.
"He has worked hard to get himself to where he is today and deserves his chance to work with and compete against the very best cyclists in the world.
"The next two years will be a huge learning experience for him but we believe he is in the very best place to do that and are looking forward to having him on board."
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Nick Bull is an NCTJ qualified journalist who has written for a range of titles, as well as being a freelance writer at Beat Media Group, which provides reports for the PA Media wire which is circulated to the likes of the BBC and Eurosport. His work at Cycling Weekly predominantly dealt with professional cycling, and he now holds a role as PR & Digital Manager at SweetSpot Group, which organises the Tour of Britain.
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