20 year-old Russian rider Pavel Sivakov is the latest rider to sign for Team Sky. He has signed a three-year deal which will take him from 2018 through to the 2020 season.

Sivakov has had an outstanding season with a stage victory at the Tour de l’Avenir the latest of a string of top wins at U23 level.

Amongst other wins for Sivakov this season have been a stage and overall at the Giro Ciclistico della Valle d’Aosta Mont Blanc, overall at Ronde de l’Isard in addition to two stage wins and overall at the Baby Giro (Giro Ciclistico d’Italia).

The news follows on from the announcement that Team Sky had also signed another one of the top emerging riders, Egan Bernal, who won the Tour de l’Avenir.

Sivakov claimed an impressive solo breakaway win in the final mountain stage of this year’s Tour de l’Avenir, securing the Polka Dot jersey for best climber in the process.

Explaining his decision to sign for Team Sky, Sivakov said: “I’ve ridden well in stage races and, to me, Team Sky are the best stage racing team in the world. I feel that Team Sky is where I can make the most progress and become the best rider I can be.

“I’m also very interested in the innovation side of the sport, and so that made Team Sky a good choice for me, knowing how there is a focus on that. I’m really interested in being part of that”.

Pavel explained how he came to know Team Sky Sports Director Nico Portal as a familiar face in his home area, the Pyrenees.

“I know Nico (Portal, Team Sky Sport Director) as he lives near the same area as me in France, in the Pyrenees. I moved there when I was very young, so I went to school and grew up in France.

“Really, signing for Team Sky is a dream for me. I’m sure that I am going to learn so much from the guys next year and I’m really looking forward to it.

“It’s definitely a big step up. The team have told me there is no pressure and that I can focus on developing and learning, but I’m excited to be involved and to play my part in the team.”

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