Team Sky sign Baby Giro winner Pavel Sivakov for 2018
The young Russian also claimed the final mountain stage victory at the 2017 Tour de l'Avenir
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.
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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.