British time trial champion Alex Dowsett has signed for Movistar after two seasons at Team Sky.
Dowsett revealed he turned down the chance to stay at Team Sky in favour of a two-year deal with Movistar.
“This isn’t a decision I have taken lightly,” said Dowsett. “Sky is a fantastic team and I was flattered that they wanted me to stay but I have a new opportunity and a new chapter of my career.
“I would like to thank everybody at Team Sky who has supported me over the last couple of years. I now look forward to an exciting 2013 with Movistar.”
The 24-year-old is the first Briton to ride for Movistar since Jeremy Hunt, who rode for the Spanish squad, then named Banesto, from 1996 to 1999.
Dowsett joined Team Sky as a neo-pro ahead of the 2011 season and has registered a string of impressive time trial results in his first two years as a professional, culminating in eighth place in the World Championship time trial in September.
Dowsett is the second British rider to leave Team Sky ahead of the 2013 season after Mark Cavendish switched to Omega Pharma-QuickStep.
