Team Sky set to sign promising young Russian winner of amateur Giro d'Italia
Pavel Sivakov set to make pro debut with British team in 2018
Russian Pavel Sivakov, the 20-year-old winner of the amateur Giro d'Italia and Giro della Valle d'Aosta stage races, will ride for Team Sky in 2018, sources close to the deal have told Cycling Weekly.
The events, together with the Tour de l'Avenir, are the top three amateur stage races and Sivakov’s two big 2017 wins caught Team Sky's eye.
"After this experience [Baby Giro and Valle d'Aosta], I love racing stages even more," Sivakov told Tutto Bici earlier this month.
>>> Team Sky battle four other WorldTour teams to sign under-23 world champion
"I dream of racing the proper Giro, the Tour de France, the Vuelta a España. I also love the Classics very much. Last year, I competed in Paris-Roubaix, a mad race that I started to win, then I punctured in the final and it was over. I will try again."
Sky took note of his victories and now look to be signing Sivakov to boost its ranks of young general classification contenders, with young Colombian climber Egan Bernal also rumoured to heading to the British team.
The move would have upset BMC Racing, which worked with Sivakov in its BMC Development Team. As part of the deal, riders with the feeder team must join the professional team if a rival’s offer is matched, however Sky appear to have offered the 20-year-old too much for BMC Racing to match.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The Sivakov/Sky deal could be the reason BMC is closing its development team after five years. The American team refused to say so directly, but pointed in that direction.
>>> How much prize money did Chris Froome and Team Sky win at the 2017 Tour de France?
"Since its inception, this team has graduated eight riders to our professional team," general manager Jim Ochowicz explained. "All of these athletes have progressed well in BMC Development Team and as graduates to the professional team.
"Unlike prior years, the athletes today are for the most part being managed by rider agents. These rider agents then propose these athletes to other teams who may or may not invest in such a program. In essence, we are now developing athletes at a cost for both our team and other teams."
"The UCI offers no protection to development teams and no regulations exist that protect their investment or the transfer of riders from team to team."
Team Sky, fresh off of a fifth Tour de France victory, have yet to confirm the deal.
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
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
Among market turmoil, Colnago boasts €55 million in sales: CEO shares the brand’s secret
Colnago’s growth has tripled since the brand’s acquisition by new majority stakeholders in 2020 and seems impervious to the downturn. Here's why.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Why e-bike torque numbers matter more than you think
You should choose an e-bike based on torque, not just power
By Paul Norman Published
-
'It was time to change': No regrets for Rod Ellingworth after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
New Tour of Britain race director says he is still on good terms with Dave Brailsford after resigning from team last year
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I’m just here to enjoy it': Tom Pidcock on his surprise Paris-Roubaix appearance
British rider was a late addition to the Ineos Grenadiers team for the race across the pavé
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
The art of peaking with Geraint Thomas: 'It’s easy to take for granted that 9 times out of 10 I hit my goals'
The Welshman also calls for better governance in the sport to help it grow further
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers’ 500th victory was claimed by a woman; why do they still not have a team?
The British squad is one of the richest in cycling - but Ineos still won’t stump up for a women’s team
By Adam Becket Published
-
'This is so much more than a number': Six of the best Ineos Grenadiers wins as team claims 500th race victory
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot took the 500th team win at the weekend
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'wouldn’t be surprised' to see attacks before the Poggio at Milan-San Remo
British rider will lead the line for Ineos Grenadiers alongside Filippo Ganna
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers delighted with Egan Bernal’s late cameo on stage one of Paris-Nice
Colombian snapped up key bonus seconds in the general classification battle on run in to Les Mureaux
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘It doesn’t change anything’ - Tom Pidcock’s coach on Tadej Pogačar at Strade Bianche
Kurt Bogaerts says the pressure is off for Pidcock as he looks to defend the title he emphatically won last year
By Tom Thewlis Published