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Cav has already chosen new team after Highroad collapse

ESPN staff
August 5, 2011
Could Mark Cavendish be riding for Team Sky next year? © Getty Images
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Mark Cavendish has confirmed he has made a decision about his future but will not make any public comment until the deal is signed, after former team HTC-Highroad announced they would be disbanding on Thursday.

Cavendish became a free agent after the shock announcement from the Highroad team, who enjoyed a successful 2011 Tour de France with the Manx rider as their lead sprinter but nevertheless failed to secure a new title sponsor for the 2012 campaign.

Team Sky, led by Dave Brailsford, have long been linked with a move for the 26-year-old, although Cavendish admits he received a variety of other offers after making clear he was open to a change of teams earlier in the year.

"A number of teams have expressed interest in me riding for them in 2012," Cavendish said in a statement. "I have now made a decision I am happy with and will be in a position to discuss my intentions once everything has been finalised."

While Cavendish's career is set to entire an exciting new chapter, the 20-time Tour de France stage winner took the time to pay tribute to the team he joined in 2006.

"I am obviously very disappointed that HTC-Highroad will no longer be a team at the end of this season," he said. "I am hugely indebted and incredibly grateful to my team-mates and all the staff for their support over the last five years and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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