Mark Cavendish will act as mentor and coach to young riders on the British Madison-Genesis team from 2016 in a new partnership.
The partnership will see Cavendish, his CVNDSH Scholarship and Cavendish's new team, Dimension Data, assist in nurturing young talent on the UCI Continental-level Madison-Genesis with the aim of preparing them for WorldTour-level racing.
As Britain's most successful professional cyclist in history and one of the world's best sprinters, Cavendish will personally pass on his knowledge of racing, road craft and training to Madison-Genesis's riders. Cavendish and Madison Genesis manager Roger Hammond rode together at the T-Mobile team between 2007-2008 in Cavendish's formative years as a pro rider.
"Without the support of key people like Roger Hammond in the early days of my career, I would never have made it to the top as a pro rider," said Cavendish.
"It was the advice, guidance and assistance that I received that kept me on course to achieve the pro team ambitions I had. This is the perfect opportunity for me to repay the sport I love with that same support and guidance for these young, talented riders.
"There’s no better platform to do that from than through a team I really believe in like Madison-Genesis."
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Mark Cavendish and Roger Hammond chat during stage three of the 2011 Tour of Oman
(Image credit: Watson)
Hammond added: "I’m so proud that Mark will join Madison-Genesis on the next phase of the team’s journey."
"I have known Mark a long time, his knowledge and passion for the sport is second to none, combined with his enthusiasm to help nurture and support the up and coming generations, I could not have ever hoped for a better person to look to the future with team."
Cavendish himself is aiming to add to his tally of stage wins at the 2016 Tour de France and then compete on the track in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Madison-Genesis has also released details of its 2016 line-up, which retains eight riders from 2015 and adds four new faces to the squad: Felix English, Grufford Lewis, Alex Blain and Taylor Gunman.
Watch: Secrets of the Toolbox - Madison-Genesis
Madison-Genesis 2016 roster
Mike Northey
Tom Stewart
Erick Rowsell
Tobyn Horton
Matt Cronshaw
Matt Holmes
Joe Evans
Tristan Robbins
Felix English
Grufford Lewis
Alex Blain
Taylor Gunman
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Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
