Eisel follows Cavendish to Team Sky

Bernhard Eisel will join Mark Cavendish at Team Sky in 2012.

The news comes within minutes of the official confirmation that Cavendish would be riding for the British outfit next year.

In recent years, Austrian rider Eisel has been a trusted domestique, close friend and mentor for Cavendish at HTC-Highroad.

The move had been expected, as Eisel had previously indicated that he would be joining the same team as the Manxman next year.

The 30 year old is a strong Classics rider in his own right, winning the 2010 edition of Ghent-Wevelgem.

He is also one of the most respected and well-liked riders in the professional bunch.

"My main job will be keeping him protected leading into the sprints, but the spring Classics are also very important to me," Eisel said in a Team Sky press release today.

"If I can secure a ride in the Tour de France, that will be great as well," he added.

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