Alex Dowsett to leave Movistar for Katusha-Alpecin in 2018
The Briton leaves Movistar after five years to join the Swiss outfit
Alex Dowsett will leave Movistar after five years and join Katusha-Alpecin for the 2018 season.
The Briton's future has been up in the air for some time, particularly as he missed out on Movistar selection for all three Grand Tours for 2018, but he will now join Katusha as part of their team overhaul for 2018.
>>> Cycling transfers 2018: All the ins and outs from the WorldTour
Katusha have already added Marcel Kittel from Quick-Step, Ian Boswell from Team Sky and Nathan Haas from Dimension Data as part of their new look squad. Current lead sprinter Alexander Kristoff will leave the outfit to join UAE Team Emirates.
Dowsett is now confirmed as the latest signing, and the 28-year-old says he's excited to get started.
“It’s so exciting for me to join this team," Dowsett said. "I had five amazing seasons with Movistar but it is time for a change and I look forward to joining Team Katusha-Alpecin.”
“Every team has a different approach and I feel I can learn a lot. The nice thing for me is that I can stay on the phenomenal Canyon bikes. They were such a huge sponsor for me in the last years, and in my opinion, it’s the best bike.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“I will continue to focus on my time trial but also all other races, especially stage races, including the Grand Tours, are important for me," he continued.
"I know that I will get my chances but I am ready to be a good domestique. In my period with Team Sky, I was one of the riders to protect Mark Cavendish and bring him to the last kilometre.
Watch: Dr Hutch meets Alex Dowsett
"I hope to do the same now with Marcel Kittel. I am good in positioning other riders in the sprint, but also on the climbs.”
Despite missing out on selection for the three-week tours in 2017, Dowsett has scored his career best results in Movistar colours, including a time trial stage win in the 2013 Giro d'Italia.
He also broke the Hour Record in 2015 with the help of the Spanish team, as well as an overall stage race win at the Bayern
Rundfahrt in the same year.
And it's that stage race overall potential that Katusha say they will try and nurture in Dowsett in his time with the team, using his time trial ability to give him the advantage.
“Alex is one of the best time trial riders in the professional peloton. We see nice opportunities with him to bring horse power to the team in the team time trials,” team manager José Azevedo said.
“Moreover, because of his TT skills, he is able to win stage races, as he has proved already in the past. Alex is still young but he has a lot of experience. I have a good feeling about him.”
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
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
I’m having to tell people I’m still a cyclist despite the fact it’s not cool anymore
Bragging rights now belong to the paddleboarders
By Michael Hutchinson Published
-
Canyon Grail CF SL 7 AXS review: a gravel bike of two halves?
The integrated cockpit and aero tubing are somewhat at odds with the Grail's taller stack height
By Rachel Sokal Published
-
'I have to pinch myself and figure out if it's real or not, especially after all the s**t in the past': Stevie Williams ahead of World Championships debut
Welshman looking to end best ever year on a high in Zurich after Tour down Under, Flèche Wallonne and Tour of Britain Men victories
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
British super-talent Cat Ferguson set for pro debut this weekend
Eighteen-year-old to race La Choralis Fourmies in first Movistar outing
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Joe Blackmore, young British winning machine, promoted to senior Israel-Premier Tech team early
Winner of Liège-Bastogne-Liège U23 and three stage races moves up to ProTeam months early
By Adam Becket Published
-
Israel-Premier Tech to tackle Paris-Roubaix on gravel bikes
Team will ride the Factor Ostro Gravel in Sunday’s cobbled Monument
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Introducing the British rider with a 100% GC record in 2024
Victories at the Tour du Rwanda and Tour de Taiwan cap a glittering start to pro life for the 21-year-old
By Adam Becket Published
-
Nairo Quintana’s former doctor to face trial for doping offences
Fredy Alexander Gonzales Torres is accused of "possession of a substance or method prohibited for use by an athlete" during the 2020 Tour de France
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Israel-Premier Tech riders to be issued with blank training kit due to safety concerns after Israel-Hamas war
Riders issued with different kit for training alone if they deem it necessary
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
Chris Froome's boss rubbishes claims bike fit is behind lack of results
'He can talk about his bike position until the cows come home - that's still not going to earn him a position on a Grand Tour team' says Israel-Premier Tech team owner Sylvan Adams
By Tom Thewlis Published