Cavendish and Eisel join Team Sky

World Champion joins Team Sky ©Graham Watson

Oct 12th, 11.  The much anticipated news of World Champion Mark Cavendish joining Team Sky was announced today. He is joined by his HTC Highroad companion Bernard Eisel.

"Mark is the greatest sprinter of his generation and is well on his way to becoming the greatest of all time. He is a rider of exceptional talent who has proved his pedigree at the very highest level of our sport," said Dave Brailsford, Team Sky Principal.

"Mark is a born winner and what excites me most is the attitude he brings to all the teams he rides for. We want to inspire more fans to get into cycling and I can think of no one better to help us do that. We are delighted that the new world champion will be riding for Team Sky next season."

The 26-year-old 'Manx Missile' brings a world-class pedigree to Team Sky having enjoyed the most successful season of his career in 2011.  

This year he won the rainbow ringed jersey of the World Champion, the green jersey of the Tour de France sprint champion and 14 times he crossed the finish line victorious.

"I think I speak for everyone in the squad when I say that we're all delighted to have Cav joining us at Team Sky, said teammate Bradley Wiggins.

"He is the best sprinter in the world and has an energy and passion for cycling that is infectious. Team Sky has enjoyed a fantastic second season and Mark's signing is another statement of our intent for next year and beyond."

Eisel adds to Team Sky lineup

Joining Cavendish at Team Sky is 30 year old Austrian Bernard Eisel. For the past five years, Eisel has ridden with Cavendish at HTC-Highroad, supporting the Manxman throughout each of his Tour de France appearances.  

As well as being a loyal domestique, Eisel is a highly-successful rider in his own right. He has racked up over 20 victories during his 11 seasons as a professional, among them stages at the Tours of Switzerland, Qatar and the Algarve plus one date classics Paris-Bourges and Ghent-Wevelgem. His natural leadership abilities will be a huge asset to the team.

"I'm really happy. I've had a great time with HTC-Highroad but as soon as I heard the team was folding I knew I would have to explore other possibilities and Team Sky were right at the top of my list," Eisel said.

"The biggest thing that attracted me to them was the structure they have in place and everything that happens behind the scenes. Everything is catered for the riders and I think that's the perfect way to run a professional cycling team. The fact that I wanted to stay with Cav was also a major factor and we're both happy that we will now have more years ahead of us.

"My main job will be keeping him protected leading into the sprints, but the spring Classics are also very important to me and I'll be looking to ride well in them. If I can secure a ride in the Tour de France that will be great as well.

"I have ridden the last eight Tours and finished them all, and next year is my 12th season as a professional so I'd like to think I have the experience to be able to contribute to the team."

Other rider reactions to Cavendish joining the team

 
Geraint Thomas, "Cav joining Team Sky is fantastic news. In many ways it's like he's coming home – the team has a number of riders and support staff that he grew up with and it won't take him any time to settle in. I think everyone saw that when we helped him to victory for Great Britain at the Worlds, and we are all looking forward to helping him deliver more wins for Team Sky."

Edvald Boasson Hagen, "I know from my time riding with Mark at Columbia-HTC what a special talent he is and it's great that we are back on the same team. Mark is a good guy, delivers when it matters and is another weapon in our squad for next year."

Ben Swift, "The young sprinters here are always looking to learn and having someone like Cav on the team is going to help us a lot. We know each other very well already, but seeing how he goes about things on a daily basis will be really good for me personally and he's always happy to give tips and advice. It's great to have him on the team."

Related - 2011/2012 team roster transfers and announcements