Cycling news - Team Sky strengthen ranks with signing of Jhonatan Narvaez from Quick-Step Floors

The 21-year-old won the Ecuadorian road race title in 2017 and enjoyed a strong debut year on the World Tour with Quick-Step Floors.

Described as a climber and classics-style rider, Narvaez will team up with the squad for their winter training camps.

Coach Xabier Artetxe said:

“This year he put in some really good performances in different scenarios, working on the front for his teammates and being really competitive on summit finishes. We also saw him riding well in some one-day races and the Classics in Belgium. He is still really young so as a rider and as a team we need to define in the future where the best place is to go with an exciting rider like Jhonatan.

“Next year will be all about learning how we race as a team and how we work in terms of training and recovery. I think he is the type of rider that suits stage races more and in the future he can do really well when targeting the GC. But for next year there’s no pressure for results – for him it’s about being in a good condition to race in these events to continue to learn and develop.”

Narvaez himself added: "I’m very excited about this opportunity to join Team Sky and I look forward to working with the team and giving 100 percent so I can continue to develop as a rider.

"I’ve been racing against the team this season and now I can’t wait to meet up with my new teammates. I know I am going to enjoy being a part of this team. It is full of big name riders who have achieved a lot and it also has a strong group of Latin American riders.

"I characterise myself as a bit of an all-rounder and next season one of my goals is to try and develop further so I can be in a position to help the team and also win races. I am 21 years old and I know on this team I will have great support to improve myself and grow as a rider.”