Bevin signs with Cannondale-Garmin for 2016

Courtesy NZ Bike Magazine

NEW ORLEANS—It’s been a Cinderella season for Kiwi Patrick Bevin (Avanti Racing Team). Not only has the North Island native enjoyed stage wins at this year’s Herald Sun Tour (UCI 2.1), Tour de Taiwan (2.1) and Tour de Korean (2.1), the 24-year-old currently sits atop the Australian National Road Series (NRS) with only four races remaining before he makes the leap to WorldTour by joining Cannondale-Garmin next year.

Bevin joins three other notable signees, including Colombian Rigoberto Urán, Frenchman Pierre Rolland and Irishman Ryan Mullen on a Cannondale-Garmin squad that loses Dan Martin to Etixx-QuickStep.

“In Asia and Australia, Patrick has shown great diversity in skills from bunch sprints to climbing,” said Jonathan Vaughters, CEO Slipstream Sports and Cannondale-Garmin Pro Cycling. “He is a rider who seems to have it all and he’ll be a great addition to the team.

“He is a rider who seems to have it all and he’ll be a great addition to the team.”

Avanti Racing sports director and co-owner Andrew Christie-Johnston agrees with Vaughters.

“I couldn't be prouder to see Paddy sign for Cannondale-Garmin,” boasted Christie-Johnston. “Being a New Zealand-registered UCI team this year for the first time makes it even better.

“Our major focus is to provide a pathway for cyclist to the pro ranks and Paddy is just another example in our success in doing so.

“I believe Paddy will have a long and successful career in the sport, he is a super talent and a great guy, and we wish him all the best.”

Bevin also joins compatriot Jack Bauer and former Avanti alumnus Nathan Haas (AUS).

“It’s good to know another guy that came through the same system,” said Bevin, who won two stages of An Post Rás last year. “Hopefully Jack stays on as it will be nice having another Kiwi on the team as well.”

As for his role on the new team, Bevin, who spent four years with US-based Bissell Pro Cycling before turning to the track to represent New Zealand at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, claims it is too early to tell, but he is open for anything and hopes to make a difference right away.

“I don’t have a defined role yet,” he said. “It will be about finding my feet at first – but at the end of the day it’s still bike racing.

“I was very lucky to have a few options,” admitted Bevin, who gives Christie-Johnston most of the credit for securing him a deal at the next level.

“I was fortunate enough to go to my first choice team and where I actually wanted to land. I’m hoping to fit in there and be a big part of the team and a part of the team being successful.”

For the past five years, the Avanti has been collecting NRS titles and churning out ProTour riders the likes of Haas, Richie Porte (Team Sky), Nathan Earle (Team Sky), Campbell Flakemore (BMC Racing Team), Jack Haig (Orica-GreenEdge), Steele von Hoff (formerly Garmin-Sharp, now NFTO) and Will Clarke (formerly Team Argos-Shimano, now Drapac).

Even the reigning New Zealand road race champion and 2014 NRS winner Joe Cooper believes Bevin told NZ Bike in June that Bevin was ready to make the jump.

“Without a doubt, Paddy has the makings of another ProTour rider,” said his fellow countryman and Avanti teammate who has his own WorldTour aspirations. “His numbers are just as good as anyone’s in the world, and it’s not like he’d go to the pro peloton and find himself in the gruppetto every day – he’d be a part of the race making it.”

Bevin believes his signing is the perfect scenario for the first-year, New Zealand-registered Continental team.

“It’s a great story for the Avanti programme,” he explained. “They put guys in the WorldTour every year, and immediately upon registering in New Zealand they send a Kiwi rider to the next level – it’s perfect and real testament at the job this team does.”

Currently Bevin (34) holds a six-point advantage over African Wildlife Safaris’ Michael Schweizer (28), followed by Avanti teammates Patrick Shaw (25) and Cooper (24) with four races remaining in the season, including the National Capital Tour (18-20 Sept), Tour of Tasmania (6-11 Oct), Melbourne to Warrnambool (17 Oct) and Grafton to Inverell (24 Oct).

“Nothing has changed for me,” said Bevin. “I said all along at the start of the season that this year is very important to me and we came here to do a job and finish what we’ve started.”

Avanti trails the Charter Mason Giant Racing Team by 10 points in the NRS teams classification.

“The teams classification is a big deal for us, too,” continued the reigning two-time Oceania road race champion. “It’s really important and nothing has changed.”

Aaron S. Lee | Follow on Twitter

Photo courtesy Daebong Kim | Velo Paper