First look at Mark Cavendish back in Deceuninck - Quick-Step colours
The former world champion and Tour de France star is back with his old team
Mark Cavendish is taking an exciting step in 2021, as he re-joins an old team after a tough few seasons for the Manxman.
Cavendish has signed a one-year deal with Deceuninck - Quick-Step, having previously raced for the squad between 2013 and 2015.
The British sprinter, winner of 30 Tour de France stages, has had a tough few seasons dealing with illness, crashes and contract negotiations, but Cavendish now says he feels like he’s “coming home.”
Deceuninck - Quick-Step, the Belgian WorldTour squad run by Patrick Lefevere, have unveiled their new kit for 2021 and have shared a picture of Cavendish donning the new colours, albeit without showing the 35-year-old’s face.
Cavendish will be wearing the navy blue strip, but with the added details of the world champion’s bands on the sleeve and neck, celebrating his 2011 Worlds win.
Deceuninck - Quick-Step have opted not to show a full picture of Cavendish in the new kit, as riders are contractually obliged to wear the kit of their current team until the end of the calendar year, but Deceuninck found a way around the rules.
The team also recently unveiled Julian Alaphilippe’s reigning world champion’s kit, as he has made a few subtle changes to the design for 2021.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
After his signing with Deceuninck was announced, Cavendish said: “I can’t explain how delighted I am to be joining Deceuninck – Quick-Step. I have never hidden my affection for my time with the team and to me this genuinely feels like I am coming home. As well as the incredible group of riders, I can’t wait to start working again with the staff, most of which were here during my first spell and were part of one of the most successful periods of my career, an era that I am immensely proud of.”
During his first spell with the team, then racing under the names Omega Pharma-Quick-Step and Etixx-Quick Step, Cavendish added three Tour de France stages to his tally, took five Giro d’Italia stages, won the British National Championships, and took a Kuurne-Brusselles-Kuurne title.
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
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
Tadej Pogačar to Lorena Wiebes: The alternative 2024 cycling season awards
As the men’s and women’s WorldTours come to a close, let’s have a look back at an exhausting season
By Adam Becket Published
-
'I haven’t entirely committed to what I’m doing' - Mark Cavendish refuses to rule out racing more, but will run a marathon next year
The Tour de France stage win record holder says that his plan is to head into cycling management
By Adam Becket Published
-
'I haven’t entirely committed to what I’m doing' - Mark Cavendish refuses to rule out racing more, but will run a marathon next year
The Tour de France stage win record holder says that his plan is to head into cycling management
By Adam Becket Published
-
Mark Cavendish to conclude professional cycling career in Singapore
Tour de France stage win record holder to bring curtain down on racing career at ASO end of season criteriums in Asia
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish set to end his career at Tour de France Singapore Criterium
Event will be Cavendish's final appearance for Astana Qazaqstan after he won a record-breaking 35th Tour de France stage in July
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I've lived everyone’s dream': Mark Cavendish hints at snap retirement after last ever Tour de France stage
The Manx Missile is the 2024 Tour's lanterne rouge
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
'I'm so tired': Emotional Mark Cavendish thanks teammates after surviving Tour de France time cut
The Briton is just two days away from finishing the Tour de France for an eighth time
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Mark Cavendish makes time limit on stage 19 - and four other tales of riders who survived the Tour de France cut-off
Brit finishes with more than five minutes to spare on Isola 2000
By Tom Davidson Published
-