Alex Dowsett to leave Movistar for Katusha-Alpecin in 2018
The Briton leaves Movistar after five years to join the Swiss outfit
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

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.
“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 10 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).
-
-
Analysis: How Mathieu van der Poel won Milan-San Remo
After another exhilarating finish to Milan-San Remo, it’s time to look back at the day and the key tactical moments that defined it
By CyclingMole aka David Hunter • Published
-
Saved by a doping test: The pro rider treated for cancer after abnormal blood result
When his team doctor called about an abnormal test result, Torstein Træen could not believe what was happening – but it would turn out to be a potentially life-saving red flag
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Women’s WorldTour calendar 'a mess' and 'a nonsense' says Movistar boss
The UCI must invest in the bottom of the pyramid to ensure the sport’s future says Sebastián Unzué
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Where next for Mark Cavendish after B & B Hotels-KTM's collapse?
We look at where the ‘Manx Missile’ could find himself next after the collapse of B & B Hotels-KTM
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Chris Froome highlights dangers of long Covid after battle with virus
Four-time Tour de France champion warns of cardiovascular impact and says his VO2 max took a hit after illness
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Movistar quick to quash Mark Cavendish signing report
Italian press speculation over future of sprinter denied by Spanish team
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Changing of the guard: Seven top cyclists who have retired in 2022
Vincenzo Nibali, Alejandro Valverde and Tom Dumoulin have all called time on their careers this year
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Facing retirement, Alex Dowsett is keeping his options well and truly open
33-year-old Israel-Premier Tech rider says reaction to his retirement has been 'exciting'
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Van Vleuten confirms her superiority with Ceratizit Challenge GC victory
Elisa Balsamo takes the final stage bunch kick on the Madrid circuit after consummate work from Trek-Segafredo
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Silvia Persico takes Ceratizit Challenge stage victory after a tense aggressive final
Olympic champion Anna Kiesenhofer comes close to pulling off a repeat of her Tokyo triumph with a 158km solo break
By Owen Rogers • Published