Mark Renshaw and Rigoberto Uran might be just what the doctor ordered for Omega Pharma-Quick Step
"Hey Eddie, this guy, he's the real thing, So if you want to come along You gotta promise you won't say anything" - Meeting Across the River (1975)
Cavendish, who has experienced a high level of success in the majority of his Tour de France career, was left disappointed after this year's tour. Having been beaten on numerous stages by the likes of Kittel and Sagan, Cavendish always had Paris to redeem himself. The rider from the Isle of Man had won the last stage ever since he first participated in the race. It had almost become and unwritten rule that the Brit should cross the line victorious in Paris - it had become a habit of sort. But things were different this year. His Omega Pharma-Quick Step team seemed to be unable to offer him the same level of support that team Sky could in 2012 and HTC before that and this was very evident on the Champs Elysee as Cavendish had to stick to the wheel of German, Greipel, before attempting a solo attack that only secured him a third place finish.
Thus, the announcement that Mark Renshaw, Cavendish's former team mate, will me joining OPQS will be welcomed with incredibly stretched out arms by the team as it just might be what the sprinter needs to get him back to winning ways. Between 2009 and 2011 Renshaw and Cavendish worked together with unrivalled force while at HTC-Highroad and it allowed the British Olympic Medallist to win 16 stages in the most prestigious race in the cycling calendar.
The Australian rider had a disappointing 2012 season as he attempted to be the lead sprinter instead of being the lead-out man he was for Cavendish. With things not having worked out at Rabobank (now Belkin) Renshaw sounded more than happy to be back doing what he does best - "After a couple of years apart, riding on the same team as my good friend Mark Cavendish again is something I am going to enjoy. It will be great returning to lead-out duties, fighting for victories with Cav."
I'm sure that it will not only be 'Cav' that will be jumping for joy with this signing but as Renshaw managed a second place in Thursday's stage of the Tour of Poland, the whole OPQS team will be extremely happy with their decision to sign one of the world's best lead out riders.
Renshaw was not the only cyclist to be signed by the Belgian team, Rigoberto Uran, who was runner up in the 2013 Giro d'Italia will move from Team Sky to join Cavendish and his teammates. Having helped team Sky on many major tours and having also worn the Tour de France's white best young rider jersey in 2011, the 26 year old has already accomplished a lot in his short career but the Colombian is excited for his future at OPQS - "A new chapter in my career is beginning and I can't wait to get started,"
OP-QS team manager, Patrick Lefevere, stated that Uran's signing was going to benefit the team in numerous ways. Not only will the Colombian be able to help the team up hard climbs (he won a Summit finish on Stage 10 in the Giro d'Italia) but he will also undoubtedly act as an inspiration for younger riders such as Michal Kwiatkowski.
A new and exciting dawn for Omega Pharma-Quick Step as they head in to the remainder of the season.
Cavendish, who has experienced a high level of success in the majority of his Tour de France career, was left disappointed after this year's tour. Having been beaten on numerous stages by the likes of Kittel and Sagan, Cavendish always had Paris to redeem himself. The rider from the Isle of Man had won the last stage ever since he first participated in the race. It had almost become and unwritten rule that the Brit should cross the line victorious in Paris - it had become a habit of sort. But things were different this year. His Omega Pharma-Quick Step team seemed to be unable to offer him the same level of support that team Sky could in 2012 and HTC before that and this was very evident on the Champs Elysee as Cavendish had to stick to the wheel of German, Greipel, before attempting a solo attack that only secured him a third place finish.
Thus, the announcement that Mark Renshaw, Cavendish's former team mate, will me joining OPQS will be welcomed with incredibly stretched out arms by the team as it just might be what the sprinter needs to get him back to winning ways. Between 2009 and 2011 Renshaw and Cavendish worked together with unrivalled force while at HTC-Highroad and it allowed the British Olympic Medallist to win 16 stages in the most prestigious race in the cycling calendar.
The Australian rider had a disappointing 2012 season as he attempted to be the lead sprinter instead of being the lead-out man he was for Cavendish. With things not having worked out at Rabobank (now Belkin) Renshaw sounded more than happy to be back doing what he does best - "After a couple of years apart, riding on the same team as my good friend Mark Cavendish again is something I am going to enjoy. It will be great returning to lead-out duties, fighting for victories with Cav."
I'm sure that it will not only be 'Cav' that will be jumping for joy with this signing but as Renshaw managed a second place in Thursday's stage of the Tour of Poland, the whole OPQS team will be extremely happy with their decision to sign one of the world's best lead out riders.
Renshaw was not the only cyclist to be signed by the Belgian team, Rigoberto Uran, who was runner up in the 2013 Giro d'Italia will move from Team Sky to join Cavendish and his teammates. Having helped team Sky on many major tours and having also worn the Tour de France's white best young rider jersey in 2011, the 26 year old has already accomplished a lot in his short career but the Colombian is excited for his future at OPQS - "A new chapter in my career is beginning and I can't wait to get started,"
OP-QS team manager, Patrick Lefevere, stated that Uran's signing was going to benefit the team in numerous ways. Not only will the Colombian be able to help the team up hard climbs (he won a Summit finish on Stage 10 in the Giro d'Italia) but he will also undoubtedly act as an inspiration for younger riders such as Michal Kwiatkowski.
A new and exciting dawn for Omega Pharma-Quick Step as they head in to the remainder of the season.
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