Team Sky sign promising all-rounder Jhonatan Narvaez from Quick-Step Floors
The former Ecuadorian national champion is leaving the Belgian team after a year
Team Sky have announced the signing of former Ecuadorian champion and promising all-rounder Jhonatan Narvaez.
The 21-year-old joins the British WorldTour team from Quick-Step Floors after his debut season at the top level.
Narvaez is hoping Team Sky will help him develop as a young rider.
He said: “I characterise myself as a bit of an all-rounder and next season one of my goals is to try and develop further so I can be in a position to help the team and also win races.
“I am 21 years old and I know on this team I will have great support to improve myself and grow as a rider.”
>>> Bernhard Eisel came close to giving up cycling after serious head injury
Narvaez won the Ecuadorian national championships in 2017 and finished second in the race this season.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
His best results this year were overall victory at the Circuit des Ardennes, second at the Drome Classic and fifth overall at the Tour de Wallonie.
The young rider said: “I’m very excited about this opportunity to join Team Sky and I look forward to working with the team and giving 100 per cent so I can continue to develop as a rider.
“I’ve been racing against the team this season and now I can’t wait to meet up with my new team-mates.
“I know I am going to enjoy being part of the team.
“It is full of big name riders who have achieved a lot and it also has a strong group of Latin American riders.”
Sky signing news for 2019 includes a new five-year deal for young Colombian star Egan Bernal.
The team are also rumoured to be signing another Colombian talent, Ivan Sosa.
These signings come amidst upheaval at Team Sky’s parent company, Sky plc, which has been bought by an American communication giant and seen its chairman depart.
Team Sky coach Xabier Artetxe said of the most recent signing: “Jhonatan is a really versatile rider.
“You could compare him to Jonathan Castroviejo in that they are similar riders that can perform strongly on the flat, time trial really well and, while they are not pure climbers, they can climb very well too.
“This year he put in some really good performances in different scenarios, working on the front for his team-mates and being really competitive on summit finishes.
“We also saw him riding well in some one-day races and the Classics in Belgium.
“He is still really young so as a rider and as a team we need to define in the future where the best place is to go with an exciting rider like Jhonatan.”
Artetxe said: “Next year will be all about learning how we race as a team and how we work in terms of training and recovery.
“I think he is the type of rider that suits stage races more and in the future he can do really well when targeting the GC.
“But for the next year, there’s no pressure for results – for him it’s about being in a good condition to race in these events to continue to learn and develop.”
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
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former 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, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex 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 the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
Forget distance covered, these are the key stats to note in your Strava Year in Sport
We asked a coach how to best analyse our end of year Strava data
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'She should show a bit more respect' - Lotte Kopecky responds to Demi Vollering comments
The pair seemingly had one last fractious year together at SD Worx-Protime in 2024
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tom Pidcock signs for Q36.5 Pro Cycling after Ineos Grenadiers departure
Olympic MTB champion hails 'start of something special' in three-year deal
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Steve Cummings takes sports director role at Jayco AIUla after Ineos Grenadiers departure
'It’s an opportunity to be part of a culture that celebrates growth, resilience, and meaningful results' says 43-year-old after joining new team
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'With a few changes, it'll be class' - Josh Tarling optimistic about Ineos Grenadiers future
'Everybody wants to get better and get back to winning,' 20-year-old tells audience at Rouleur Live
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'We've had a difficult year, I've had a difficult year' - Tom Pidcock hints at Ineos Grenadiers tension
Speaking at Rouleur Live, the 25-year-old also revealed that he hasn't enjoyed racing at the last two Tours de France
By Adam Becket Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers to partner with German development team for 2025
Ineos set to partner with German Continental squad Lotto Kern-Haus PSD Bank as an official development partner
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Where next for Ineos Grenadiers, now Steve Cummings has officially left?
After the Director of Racing's exit, the Tom Pidcock saga needs a final resolution before the team can move forward
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos' Director of Racing, Steve Cummings, confirms he is leaving the team after not attending a race since June
Announcement comes after months of uncertainty surrounding Cummings' position
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I never thought I'd really leave the team': Luke Rowe opens up on his reasons for departing Ineos Grenadiers
Welsh road captain is heading to Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale to become a sports director
By Adam Becket Published