Fernando Gaviria, who twice beat Mark Cavendish at this year’s Tour de San Luis, has signed a two-year contract with the Manxman’s Etixx – Quick-Step team.
The Colombian sprinter, 20, showed his skills at the UCI Track World Championships, too, taking home the gold medal in the men’s omnium – an event he is targeting at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
>>> End of the road for Mark Cavendish’s Olympic track hopes, says Sutton
Gaviria is to be put on a programme which will allow him to be in peak condition for the Rio Games, according to Etixx – Quick-Step’s Patrick Lefevere, and may race as a stagiaire towards the end of this season.
“I am really looking forward to joining this team,” Gaviria said. “This was my first choice. I love this team and have followed them since I was a kid. I have strong admiration for Mark Cavendish.
“At Tour de San Luis I was constantly watching him, trying to understand his movements and learn as much as I can from him. For me it is super to join a team that is so skilled in the sprints, and provides a good structure for me to do my job and get better at my job.”
>>> Mark Cavendish’s rival Fernando Gaviria aims for WorldTour and Tour de France
The Belgian team also announced the signing of another Colombian, climber Rodrigo Contreras, who took the youth classification in San Luis.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
-
Best long sleeved cycling jerseys 2023 for fall and spring riding, reviewed and rated
A long sleeved cycling jersey is a riding wardrobe staple, providing protection against cooler temperatures
-
‘Infectious positivity’ helped Jack Rootkin-Gray earn his first WorldTour ride with EF Education-EasyPost
Brit to make WorldTour debut in 2024 with Jonathan Vaughters managed American team
-
Further suspect arrested and charged over knife-point robbery of Mark Cavendish and family
26-year-old Jo Jobson charged with two counts of robbery for his part in break in at Cavendish’s home
-
21 things you didn't know about Mark Cavendish
From working in a bank to breaking records on the Champs-Élysées
-
Mark Cavendish's Astana team refutes claim it breached sunglasses contract
Team says it "fully respected" its sponsorship deal with sunglasses supplier Scicon
-
Mark Cavendish buys second guard dog for £20,000 after knife point raid
Peta Cavendish said family home had become a reminder of "threat and fear" after home invasion robbery in 2021
-
In photos: Mark Cavendish through the years, all his teams and the kit he's worn
18 years, six teams, 161 wins. Will 2023 be a last hurrah for the British champion?
-
CW Live: Mark Cavendish to start season at Oman; Giro wildcards unveiled; UCI updates Covid rules; Amsterdam builds underwater garage for 7,000 bikes; Cavendish family 'terrorised' by robbery; and LTNs do not push traffic onto boundary roads
All the news you need in the world of cycling this Thursday. It's cold!
-
Last chance saloon: Why has Mark Cavendish ended up at Astana? And will it work?
The British champion has joined the sixth different team of his professional career in the hunt for one more Tour de France stage win
-
Mark Cavendish signs for Astana-Qazaqstan and will remain on the WorldTour for 2023
The transfer saga is over, Mark Cavendish has officially found a team, and will chase the Tour de France stage win record
