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.
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.
Alex is the 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 and now as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output.
Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) and joining CW in 2018, Alex has 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 journalism, Alex is a national level time triallist, avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
British men just miss out on Madison medal as Mørkøv gets gold for Denmark on final day of Roubaix Track Worlds
Katie Archibald also took silver in the points race, her fourth medal of these Championships
By Jonny Long •
-
Jan Ullrich undertakes longest ride 'since Milan - San Remo 1997' at Mallorca Gran Fondo
The German says he has been training hard over the past year after recovering from a troubled period
By Jonny Long •
-
Julian Alaphilippe and Remco Evenepoel share their thoughts ahead of Il Lombardia 2021
The two Deceuninck - Quick-Step riders come into the final Monument of the year as two of the main favourites
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Mark Cavendish wins reduced sprint at Sparkassen Münsterland Giro 2021
The Manxman adds another win to his 2021 tally
By Jonny Long •
-
'I owe my career to you': Mark Cavendish pays tribute to former British Cycling coach Heiko Salzwedel
The sprinter has shared his thoughts after his former coach passed away
By Jonny Long •
-
Julian Alaphilippe says losing the rainbow jersey would have been 'a certain form of relief'
The French star stormed to an amazing second world title in a row on the roads of Leuven
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Mark Cavendish reaches agreement on wages, final sticking point is role with Deceuninck - Quick-Step after retirement
The sprinter will meet with Lefevere when both are present at the UCI Road World Championships this week in Flanders
By Jonny Long •
-
Mark Cavendish spotted cycling in central London
Cavendish will race in the World Championships on Sunday 26 September, but needed to get some miles in his legs in London
By Ryan Dabbs •
-
Sam Bennett makes return to Deceuninck - Quick-Step squad in Belgian one-day race
The Irish sprinter has fallen out with management, recently racing the European Championships without consulting with the team
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Mark Cavendish explains mid-race frustration to viewers during Tour of Britain breakaway
The 'Manx Missile' became frustrated with the motorbikes helping two riders the break had deliberately dropped
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
