I am pleased to announce a 2 year deal with the Rabobank Cycling Team.

The decision to pursue my dreams of winning stages in the Tour De France and other World Tour races was too great. After many years helping others win races I look forward to trying to win some of cycling’s biggest races with Rabobank Cycling Team. I see Rabobank as one of the most professional teams in cycling and with the structure to help me achieve my goals. I look forward to sharing my experience with Rabobank Cycling Team and help guide the team to many victories.

I have spent many days and nights thinking about winning races and to now get the chance is very exciting.

I know many people will be upset to see me part ways with Mark Cavendish but he understands the drive I have within to win races. He too has this drive to win as all cyclists in the peloton do. I have had many good memories with HTC staff and riders and it’s a shame the team had to come to an end this year.

Highroad picked me up when Credit Agricole closed their doors and I need to thank many people for helping me progress and develop into the rider I am now. Bob Stapleton and Rolf Aldag have led the most winning team for 3 years and I am very privileged  to be part of that.

Thankyou.

Mark Renshaw

I am now racing in Eneco Tour from the 8th - 14th August. We started racing yesterday in Holland with a short 5km prologue. As I expected the legs were not great, it’s always hard after a Grand Tour to return strong straight away but I’m sure within the next week of racing the legs will return to their best and I will be able to have a crack at winning a stage.

I think I have recovered well from the Tour so I’m looking forward to the strength returning to the body for some big sprint finishes.

Todays first road stage was just a matter of hiding in the bunch and adapting to the race pace again. My body didn’t really enjoy the stress of Holland’s roads and the pace we raced.

There was one moment at 5km from the finish I looked down at my SRM to see 199 Heart Rate. It was quite scary to see it that high... I had not seen it up there since 2007 Vuelta.

I sat up and rolled in easy, it might take a day or two too adapt but I’m looking forward to trying soon.

Mark

Welcome back after a very short two weeks of recovery since the Tour De France. My time back at home went very fast, A few meals out with friends and spending some relaxing time at home was much appreciated.

Everybody knows the news that HTC will stop at the end of the season, I knew there was a chance of this happening but the way it happened was surprising. One moment it was going ahead and the next moment it was over.

It’s very sad that the team will wind up at the end of the season, after my 3 years here at Highroad I have made many friends and we have been one hell of a team.

I have come along in leaps and bounds since I joined the team and I’ve had so many great memories with so many great riders.

I think the sprint finish on the Champs in 2009 Tour will stay with me for a long time, along with the two Giro Team Time Trail victories. Winning these TTT are so rewarding because it takes all nine riders to give their best to win.

My victory in Tour of Qatar this year proved I could also win races on my own. I’m very proud to win for the team and to add to the amazing victory tally the whole team have achieved over the last 3 years.

I have lost count how many victories I have helped with; most of them with Cav but also with Greipel, Henderson, B.Hagen, Goss and Howard.