Wednesday 30 September 2015 09:56, UK
Mark Cavendish has signed for Team Dimension Data - the new name for MTN-Qhubeka - after three years with Etixx - Quick-Step.
The 30-year-old Manxman is one of three new recruits by the team's owners Ryder Cycling and he will move on January 1, having agreed a three-year deal.
Mark Renshaw, Cavendish's lead-out man at Etixx Quick - Step, and Bernhard Eisel, their former HTC-Highroad team-mate who left Team Sky on Monday, have also been announced as new additions to the South African team.
MTN-Qhubeka race in the second-tier UCI Pro Continental Tour, but it is understood that they will receive invites to all of cycling's biggest races next year, so Cavendish will not miss out on riding the Tour de France.
The team are also supportive of Cavendish's ambitions to ride on the track at the Olympic Games in Rio next summer.
MTN will end their sponsorship at the end of this season, so the squad will be known as Team Dimension Data from 2016 after recruiting a new title sponsor.
"I'm super-excited about becoming a part of the Team for 2016," said Cavendish on teammtnqhubeka.com.
"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, believes Cavendish's arrival will help drive the team achieve success.
"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," said Ryder.
"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."
