Mark Cavendish says he is ‘over the moon’ that Etixx-QuickStep have agreed terms to sign newly-crowned world omnium champion Fernando Gaviria.
The Colombian sprinting sensation, who beat Cavendish to victory twice at the Tour de San Luis last month, has agreed to join the Belgian super team next season alongside compatriot Rodrigo Contreras.
And Cavendish batted away any suggestion he may averse to the signing of another sprinter by welcoming the news on the Twitter.
Contrary to what some shit-stirrers may start yapping, I’m over the moon that @Etixx_QuickStep has signed @77Gaviria. Welcome dude!
— Mark Cavendish (@MarkCavendish) February 24, 2015
Gaviria was widely touted to be snapped up by a WorldTour after his performance in San Luis, and has 20-year-old went on to claim omnium gold for Colombia on the track in Paris last week.
Both Gaviria and Contreras, also 20, will officially become Etixx-QuickStep riders next season having signed two-year deals.
But Etixx-QuickStep CEO Pat Lefevere says Gaviria could come on board even sooner, joining later this year as a stagiaire, with the sprinting ace keen to learn the ropes as soon as possible.
“I am really looking forward to joining this team,” Gaviria said. “This was my first choice. I love this team and have followed them since I was a kid.
“I have strong admiration for Mark Cavendish. At the Tour de San Luis I was constantly watching him, trying to understand his movements and learn as much as I can from him.
“For me it is super to join a team that is so skilled in the sprints, and provides a good structure for me to do my job and get better at my job.
“For me it is a question of learning a lot with Etixx-Quick-Step, and to me this is the best team to learn from and also be able to do my job as best I can.”
Contreras is also relishing the prospect of joining forces with a rider he holds in high esteem, in his case Colombian Grand Tour contender Rigoberto Uran.
Contreras, who was fifth overall at the Tour de San Luis, said: “I am over the moon to have this opportunity.
“It’s one of the best teams in the world and I am really looking forward to riding for this team. I am a climber, but I also love the time trial discipline.
“My idol is Rigoberto Uran, who races for this team, so to come here and learn from guys like him is really a dream come true.”
Gaviria, meanwhile, is also targeting a place at the 2016 Rio Olympics after his track success – a desire which, Lefevere added, will be accommodated at Etixx-QuickStep.
