Team Sky have announced their second signing in two days, with 20-year-old Pavel Sivakov joining the British squad for 2018.
The announcement of Sivakov's signature comes just a day after Sky revealed they had signed talented Colombian climber Egan Bernal to their ranks.
>>> Cycling transfers 2018: All the ins and outs from the WorldTour
Like Bernal, Russian Sivakov has had an impressive 2017, winning the Baby Giro in June while in the BMC Development Team, who he rode with for two seasons.
Sivakov also won the final mountains stage of this year's Tour de l'Avenir from a solo breakaway along with the polka dot jersey of the King of the Mountains. His palmarès also includes a win at the junior Tour of Flanders and a second place at the U23 Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
"I’ve ridden well in stage races and, to me, Team Sky are the best stage racing team in the world," Sivakov said about his choice to join the team.
“I feel that Team Sky is where I can make the most progress and become the best rider I can be.
“I’m also very interested in the innovation side of the sport, and so that made Team Sky a good choice for me, knowing how there is a focus on that. I’m really interested in being part of that”.
“It’s definitely a big step up. The team have told me there is no pressure and that I can focus on developing and learning, but I’m excited to be involved and to play my part in the team.”
Sky sports director Nicolas Portal said that the young Russian has "all the qualities needed to become one of the best in the world” having known Sivakov for sometime already.
“I’ve known Pavel for a few years. He has a good pedigree as both his parents were cyclists," Portal said.
“He grew up at the foot of the Pyrenees, which might help to explain why he’s such a good climber!
“He’s also a really strong time triallist. He was a very good junior rider and he has progressed to become one of the very best under-23 riders in the world.
“Pavel is a really nice guy. He’s passionate about our sport, he’s committed and he’s motivated to succeed.
-
-
Matej Mohorič abandons Giro d’Italia 2021 after huge crash on a descent
The Bahrain Victorious specialist took a huge hit after losing control on a fast downhill
By Alex Ballinger •
-
'There's an element of the unknown with Bernal and Evenepoel,' says Bradley Wiggins
Bradley Wiggins has said both Egan Bernal and Remco Evenepoel have their vulnerabilities despite finding themselves the best of the GC contenders over the first week of racing at the Giro d'Italia
By Jonny Long •
-
Pavel Sivakov crashes out of Giro d'Italia 2021
The Franco-Russian rider came into the race as a surprise co-leader with Egan Bernal
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Egan Bernal says he's pain-free after first day in the mountains at Giro d'Italia 2021
The 2019 Tour de France champion had been concerned about his back pain issues going into the race
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Filippo Ganna says Remco Evenepoel ‘had fantastic legs’ as he questions whether he can maintain lead in Giro d’Italia
The Italian time trial star keeps the pink jersey after stage three, but can he hold on for another day?
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Ethan Hayter holds on to Volta ao Algarve lead as Kasper Asgreen wins stage four time trial
The British rider remained in the overall lead despite crashing on the 20km time trial
By Chris Marshall-Bell •
-
Filippo Ganna obliterates the field to take victory and pink jersey on Giro d'Italia stage one time trial
Time trial world champion wins opening time trial for second consecutive year
By Richard Windsor •
-
Ethan Hayter sprints to victory and the overall lead on stage two of Volta ao Algarve 2021
The British rider had two team-mates sacrificing themselves to carry him to the win
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Egan Bernal says he doesn’t have the same form as when he won the Tour de France, but wants to find his confidence
The Colombian star is favourite to win the Giro d’Italia, but has taken a different approach in his preparation
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Rohan Dennis smashes Tour de Romandie 2021 prologue as Ineos Grenadiers dominate the podium
Rohan Dennis smashed his competition on the prologue of the 2021 Tour of Romandie, as Ineos Grenadiers dominated the podium.
By Alex Ballinger •
