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


The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
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.
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
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
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.
-
-
Best long sleeved cycling jerseys 2023 for fall and spring riding, reviewed and rated
A long sleeved cycling jersey is a riding wardrobe staple, providing protection against cooler temperatures
By Hannah Bussey Published
-
‘Infectious positivity’ helped Jack Rootkin-Gray earn his first WorldTour ride with EF Education-EasyPost
Brit to make WorldTour debut in 2024 with Jonathan Vaughters managed American team
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I thought I was more in the door than I was' - Luke Rowe bares all on Vuelta a España snub
Welshman will not race a Grand Tour this year after he missed out on selection by Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Davidson Published
-
‘I hope I get a cow’ - Josh Tarling aiming for the top prize at World Championships
Welshman competing in elite men’s individual time trial on Friday afternoon
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'All being well I’ll still be racing next year' but 'it's coming to an end' - Geraint Thomas on Ineos Grenadiers future
'It's nice to be arriving at a Worlds in decent nick' says the Welshman ahead of individual time trial in Stirling
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Carlos Rodriguez credits BMX skills with Tour de France stage win
Ineos Grenadiers rider dedicates his victory to his parents
By Vern Pitt Published
-
'We just have to keep trying': Ineos Grenadiers ready to attack at the Tour de France
'You never know' British team's DS Steve Cummings says anything is still possible at French Grand Tour
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Disappointed on stage one, pleased with stage two: Tom Pidcock gaining confidence at Tour de France
Ineos Grenadiers rider satisfied with performance on the road to San Sebastián after difficult opening stage
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock: Beating the likes of Pogačar and Vingegaard to a Tour de France stage would be ‘a step up’
Ineos Grenadiers rider heads into second Tour aiming for general classification and stage wins
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Egan Bernal heads back to Tour de France 'ambitious' but 'realistic'
The 2019 winner is targeting general classification at his first Tour since life-threatening accident
By Adam Becket Published