Mark Cavendish, the British sprinting legend, is to join Sam Bennett in Deceuninck-QuickStep's sprinting line-up next year.
Cavendish, who has won 30 stages at the Tour de France, the world title and Milan-Sanremo, was in danger of drifting out of the sport in recent weeks as he was not re-signed by Bahrain-McLaren.
However, Patrick Lefevere then indicated he may bring the Manx rider back to the team and that has now come to pass, with Deceuninck-QuickStep confirming earlier today they had signed the 35-year-old.
“I can’t explain how delighted I am to be joining Deceuninck-QuickStep,”
Cavendish said of what is a brilliant move for him so late in his career and
have previously ridden for the team between 2013 and 2015.
“I have never hidden my affection for my time with the
team and to me this genuinely feels like I am coming home. As well as the
incredible group of riders, I can’t wait to start working again with the staff.
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“Most of (them) were here during my first spell and were
part of one of the most successful periods of my career, an era that I am
immensely proud of.
“Even with an extremely difficult and disrupted season
this year, they have shown how strong and unified they are and I am hoping to
add to even more. I can’t wait to be back in the Wolfpack.”
Lefevere said Cavendish had previously brought great
success to the team and he believed he had a lot more to offer.
“We are happy to have him return to our family, as he is
a leader and brings across a wealth of experience that he can share with our
young riders,” he said. “But at the same time we are confident he still has
something to give to the team.”
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