Team Sky sign Baby Giro winner Pavel Sivakov for 2018
The young Russian also claimed the final mountain stage victory at the 2017 Tour de l'Avenir

Pavel Sivakov at the 2015 World Championships (Sunada)

Team Sky have announced their second signing in two days, with 20-year-old Pavel Sivakov joining the British squad for 2018.
The announcement of Sivakov's signature comes just a day after Sky revealed they had signed talented Colombian climber Egan Bernal to their ranks.
>>> Cycling transfers 2018: All the ins and outs from the WorldTour
Like Bernal, Russian Sivakov has had an impressive 2017, winning the Baby Giro in June while in the BMC Development Team, who he rode with for two seasons.
Sivakov also won the final mountains stage of this year's Tour de l'Avenir from a solo breakaway along with the polka dot jersey of the King of the Mountains. His palmarès also includes a win at the junior Tour of Flanders and a second place at the U23 Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
"I’ve ridden well in stage races and, to me, Team Sky are the best stage racing team in the world," Sivakov said about his choice to join the team.
“I feel that Team Sky is where I can make the most progress and become the best rider I can be.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“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”.
“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.”
Sky sports director Nicolas Portal said that the young Russian has "all the qualities needed to become one of the best in the world” having known Sivakov for sometime already.
“I’ve known Pavel for a few years. He has a good pedigree as both his parents were cyclists," Portal said.
“He grew up at the foot of the Pyrenees, which might help to explain why he’s such a good climber!
“He’s also a really strong time triallist. He was a very good junior rider and he has progressed to become one of the very best under-23 riders in the world.
“Pavel is a really nice guy. He’s passionate about our sport, he’s committed and he’s motivated to succeed.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
Can anyone stop Primož Roglič or Juan Ayuso from winning the Giro d’Italia?
Roglič and Ayuso's form suggest they are the two outright favourites for overall victory in Rome next month
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
How to watch Dwars door Vlaanderen 2025: Everything you need to live stream the cobbled Belgian Classic
All the information on broadcasters and live streams for Dwars door Vlaanderen on 2 April, as Wout van Aert, Mads Pedersen, Marianne Vos and Lotte Kopecky take on the cobbles.
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'An unprecedented opportunity for brands to be part of the evolution' - Ineos Grenadiers sponsor hunt steps up with sales agency partnership
Sportfive have been employed to find "non-endemic global partners for the team"
By Adam Becket Published
-
'We've all got a little bit extra in us this year' - Ineos Grenadiers recapture 'fighting spirit' with aggressive Paris-Nice display
British team continue to put tumultuous 2024 behind them with momentum and a new found mentality
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Could a TotalEnergies deal be the end of Ineos Grenadiers as we know them?
Reports suggested this week that Ineos could be close to signing a deal with the French petrochemical firm
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'They’re racing with their hearts again' - Robbie McEwen on Ineos Grenadiers' bright start to 2025
The British squad have already won four times in 2025
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers are entertaining so far this year, but how long will it last?
The British WorldTour squad have won four times already in 2025, but more than that, they have been fun. Is this the new dawn?
By Adam Becket Published
-
Caleb Ewan says he was put in a 'bad situation' by Jayco AlUla before he joined Ineos Grenadiers
Ewan joined Ineos Grenadiers in January after spending just one year with Jayco AlUla
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'There's no bull****, that's what I've always liked' - Geraint Thomas's first BC coach Rod Ellingworth on the retiring Welshman
The 2018 Tour de France winner will step away from professional cycling at the end of the season
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'It is time to change goals' - Egan Bernal's coach confirms Ineos Grenadiers exit
'I want to thank all the cyclists I have had the opportunity to coach over the past ten years' Xabier Artetxe says in LinkedIn post
By Tom Thewlis Published