Mark Cavendish will lend his expertise to British UCI Continental team Madision-Genesis next season, after Roger Hammond’s outfit announced an official partnership with the British sprinter and his CVNDSH Scholarship.
The partnership, also announced in association with the Manx Missile’s new 2016 team, Dimension Data, will see Cavendish support the squad by mentoring riders on training, road craft and race knowledge.
Hammond will co-manage the team, now in its fourth year, as they bid to help their young riders develop into WorldTour competitors.
Two of the team’s 2015 roster have already made big steps on that journey, with Tom Scully signing for UCI ProContinental team Drapac and Mark McNally joining Wanty-Groupe Gobert, also in professional cycling’s second tier.
And Cavendish is relishing the opportunity to pay back the guidance Hammond gave him when he was an up and coming rider in the British Cycling set-up.
He said: “Without the support of key people like Roger Hammond in the early days of my career, I would never have made it to the top as a pro rider.
“It was the advice, guidance and assistance that I received that kept me on course to achieve the pro team ambitions I had. This is the perfect opportunity for me to repay the sport I love with that same support and guidance for these young, talented riders.
“There’s no better platform to do that from than through a team I really believe in like Madison Genesis.”
The core of the British team remains from last year, when they were crowned Tour Series champions for the first time, with Tour de Yorkshire top-ten finisher Erick Rowsell among the riders to stay on.
Tom Stewart and Tobyn Horton also remain, while New Zealander Mike Northey has committed to another season on the British domestic circuit.
Matt Cronshaw, Matt Holmes and teenagers Joe Evans and Tristan Robbins have also re-signed, but Liam Holohan will move to Team WIGGINS.
Speaking of the partnership with Cavendish, Roger Hammond said: “I’m so proud that Mark will join Madison Genesis on the next phase of the team’s journey.
“I have known Mark a long time, his knowledge and passion for the sport is second to none, combined with his enthusiasm to help nurture and support the up and coming generations, I could not have ever hoped for a better person to look to the future with the team.”
Four new signings will also bolster the team’s ranks for 2016, with Irishman Felix English joining from JLT-Condor.
Gruff Lewis (Pedal Heaven) has also joined, alongside 34-year-old Frenchman Alexandre Blain (Team Marseille 13 KTM), who re-joins the British domestic scene after previously riding for Endura and Raleigh.
The 2016 roster is completed by New Zealand riders Taylor Gunman (Avanti), who won this year’s New Zealand Cycle Classic and was also crowned Oceanian Continental road race champion.
Hammond, meanwhile, will also serve as a DS with Dimension Data in 2016, helping to support their Classics team.
He added on his new role: “I am very excited to be joining this fantastic project, with so many ex team mates or managers within the team it feels like I’m returning to my family.
“Cycling has been so influential in the path my life has taken and the rich experiences I have enjoyed along the way.
“To be part of this project that not only focusses on giving riders the chance to achieve their dreams competitively but – by supporting Qhubeka – also giving children the chance of an education through the medium of the bike was an opportunity not to be missed.”
Mike Northey (NZL)
Tom Stewart (GBR)
Erick Rowsell (GBR)
Tobyn Horton (GBR)
Matt Cronshaw (GBR)
Matt Holmes (GBR)
Joe Evans (GBR)
Tristan Robbins (GBR)
Felix English (IRE)
Gruff Lewis (GBR)
Alex Blain (FRA)
Taylor Gunman (NZL)
