Cavendish: I see Dimension Data becoming the biggest team in pro cycling

Mark Cavendish is excited about his new team and sees the potential for Dimension Data to become the world's biggest professional cycling team
Jack Elton-Walters

British rider Mark Cavendish is looking ahead to the coming season with MTN-Qhubeka after agreeing to leave Etixx – Quick-Step.

Cavendish believes the team, which will be named Dimension Data from January 1 when the Manxman’s contract starts, could be cycling’s top team in just a few years.

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“I see the forward trajectory of the team,” Cavendish told South African radio station Cape Talk. “It has got incredible roots and an incredible story.

“In all honesty, I see it becoming the biggest team in professional cycling in a few years,” he said.

The riders are presently on a training camp in South Africa, something their new star sprinter is relishing.

“We’re going to be riding every day for four or five hours. We’ve got full days because this team meeting is the only time of the year that the whole team, the whole of Dimension Data will be all together.

“There’s a lot of stuff to organise for next year.”

The team also welcomes Mark Renshaw and Bernie Eisel, who were both part of the HTC sprint train that dominated bunch sprints and helped gain Cavendish many of his 26 Tour de France stage wins.