Tom Boonen and Mark Cavendish to mark their first joint appearance at the Tour of Qatar 2013
Tom Boonen and Mark Cavendish will welcome the New Year as teammates and will ride shoulder to shoulder at several events in the new season.
The final list of the races participated by both the riders has not yet been published but one race that is certain to see two of the best riders fighting for the same cause will be the Tour of Qatar 2013.
The race is scheduled from February 3-8 and both the riders, who dominated this year with Cavendish bagging two stages while Boonen securing an overall victory will represent Team Omega Pharma-Quick Step in 2013.
Mark Cavendish signed a three-year deal with the Belgian side after a bitter end to his campaign with Team Sky.
He was still in contract with the British side but negotiated himself out of the contract after the team failed to give him enough support at this year’s Tour de France 2012, which cost him his green jersey.
Team Sky General Manager, David Brailsford was focused on claiming an overall victory at the Tour de France and maximum support was given to Bradley Wiggin and Cavendish got overlooked.
The plan worked as Wiggins became the first ever British cyclist to secure the top podium spot at the Tour de France final general classifications and Brailsford was admired for his achievement.
However, the victory came at the cost of Cavendish who decided to switch the team and pledged his future with Team Omega Pharma-Quick Step in for the new season.
Boonen welcomed Cavendish on the side, “Having Mark on board is great. He is one of the best riders. I am curious to talk with him and get to know him a bit more,” he noted.
“We have different goals, but it would be nice if I could give him a hand. As I said before, I am happy and relaxed. I am in my team; this team is part of my life. I am still hungry but I will do my best to help him become on of us, as soon as possible,”
he concluded.
Boonen will kick-off his new season crusade at the Tour de San Luis in Argentina earlier in January and will follow it up with Tour of Qatar and Oman.
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