Fernando Gaviria signs for Etixx – Quick-Step

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.

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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.”

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The Belgian team also announced the signing of another Colombian, climber Rodrigo Contreras, who took the youth classification in San Luis.