Everyone assumed the Manxman was going to sign with Sky
Pic from Code of the cog
There have been rumors swirling throughout the year that newly crowned World Champion Mark Cavendish would be riding for Team Sky in 2012. When HTC-Highroad chief Bill Stapelton announced that HTC-Highroad could not find a sponsor for 2012 media pundits, cycling fans and those-in-the-know all assumed that Cavendish would be riding alonside Bradley Wiggins in 2012.
“Everyone assumed that the Cavendish to Sky deal was done, even the accountants at Team Sky. They kept looking at the numbers and wondered why they would always have an extra $3 million for 2012. So, we decided to buy another team bus with all the extra cash. The new team bus has all of these custom features just for Cav, so we can’t return it.” – David Brailsford
“It seemed like common knowledge. I just assumed that we would have taken care of the contract by now. It is October already and most riders have signed for next year. I was too busy trying to get contracts for all the other riders I manage and forgot that we never really did sign a contract with Sky.” – Mark Cavendish’s Agent.
“This is the equivalent of throwing your arms up in the air during a sprint and getting nipped at the line by another rider. Cav thought he had the contract done cause everyone just assumed it. But no one checked to see that the contract was actually signed.” -Anonymous former sprinter with a german accent whose name rhymes with Derek Bobble
Fans and cycling journalist were puzzled as to why the announcement never came out. First it was assumed that the news would be out by September 1st when new signings could be announced. Then other wondered if the news would be announced after the World Championships, but all was still quiet.
Cavendish says he has no plans for next year, but is actively working with a new agent who will actually follow up on contracts.
“I need a guy like Ari in Entourage, but the first season Ari, not like the last season when he was all distracted and such. That show really turned to crap at the end you know?!” – Mark Cavendish.
Cavendish was last seen trying to slap some Astana riders on the back really hard so one of them would retire early opening up a spot on the roster.
“In times like these you really have to work hard to open up a roster spot.” Cav