As expected, Mark Cavendish has signed for MTN Qhubeka along with Mark Renshaw and Berni Eisel.
Cavendish was coming to the end of his contract with Etixx Quick Step and has made to the move to the African team who will be called Team Dimension Data next season.
Cavendish, the former World and British champion sprinter said: "I’m super excited about becoming a part of the Team for 2016.
"It is a team that I have watched closely as it has grown, especially over this season and been really impressed with the spirit, strength and dynamics of the group. It’s fair to say that most of the peloton has seen how incredible the Team raced this year.
"To join it with the target of helping to win even more races with other strong, experienced household cycling names like Mark Renshaw, Edvald Boasson-Hagen, Tyler Farrar, Daniel Teklehaimanot, Steve Cummings and of course Bernie Eisel is going to be real special, as well as assisting the talent of the young, African riders to top level success.
"Also, for me personally, one of the biggest incentives is riding for a greater cause in the Qhubeka charity. I’m really looking forward to having a successful year on the road alongside the other guys and helping directly to get more bikes in the hands of people who need them. "
Douglas Ryder – Team Owner said: "Mark Cavendish joining our Team is a huge step forward for the team as we strive to get to the next level in world cycling. To also integrate Mark Renshaw and Bernie Eisel is a game changer in terms of performance and experience, which, added to the incredible talent we already have in the team opens up many possibilities for us. We have seen how success has brought fantastic new partners to our team in Dimension Data and Deloitte and the impact that it has had on our current bike partners like Cervelo. It is even more meaningful to tie that all together to achieve bigger impact for Qhubeka, the charity we ride for. Qhubeka, provides bicycles for African schoolchildren, enabling them to conquer distance every day to get to and from school. As the team’s visibility and success has increased, we are grateful for sponsors and individuals coming alongside to support our goal to provide 5000 bicycles for African schoolchildren via the #BicyclesChangeLives campaign. We look forward to working closely with Mark and the other riders to accelerate the growth of the team’s contributions on and off the bike in 2016 and beyond."
Source: DSG
