As expected, Mark Cavendish has left Team Sky and will join Omega Pharma Quick Step on January 1st.
Cavendish joined Sky last year on a three year deal but things came to a head during the Tour De France when the emphasis was put on Bradley Wiggins to win Le Tour, leaving Cavendish to grab which ever sprints he could after helping out his team-mates.
Following Wiggins win and expectations that GC would be the goal again for Sky, there was then speculation that Cavendish would be leaving for Omega Pharma Quick Step whose team already includes Tony Martin and Bert Grabsch who both rode for Cavendish at HTC Highroad.
Speaking about Cavendish who won fifteen stages during his time at Sky and has agreed a third year deal with Omega Pharma, Team Sky Boss David Brailsford said to the Team Sky website:“Mark has been a true champion for Team Sky this year.
“It’s been an honour having the rainbow jersey in this team and great to work so closely with a rider I’ve known since he was a junior.
“He has been a real team player, making history in a Tour de France winning team.
“Cav won 15 races with us, including his first stage race, three Tour stages, and the fourth win in his unbeaten run on the Champs Elysees.
“The sight of him winning in Paris, with the yellow jersey leading out the world champion - both in Team Sky kit - is something you’ll never forget.
“Mark also gets what Team Sky stands for and has been a real ambassador, on and off the bike, helping to inspire more people to ride and to love this sport.
“We all wish Mark the very best with his future ambitions in a new team and as a British rider.”
Cavendish is quoted as saying; "After a year of being part of the successes at Team Sky, I've decided to leave to join Omega Pharma - QuickStep Cycling Team to pursue different goals.
"It's been an incredibly fun year riding with friends I've grown up with but I'm super excited about riding with old friends and teammates in one of the most successful and established teams in cycling. I believe in the team's project and I’m thrilled to be a part of it."
Cavendish will ride a Specalized bike whilst at Omega Pharma Quick Step and their CEO Mike Sinyard said: "When we worked with him in the past he was really good, he gave great product feedback and challenged us in a good way. He's got a lot of energy and a lot of ideas, and personally we relate very much to Mark. It's a big honour to have Mark choose to come back to Specialized. "We are look forward to really going out there and be challenged in a great way to make the product to help him win."
Picture copyright of Covsupport News Service. Credit CNS/KM