News: Mark Donovan Signs for Sunweb

Team Sunweb have signed three top riders from the U23 ranks, Alberto Dainese (ITA), Mark Donovan (GBR) and Thymen Arensman (NED)

News: Mark Donovan Signs for Sunweb

Mark Donovan impressed as a junior in 2017 taking three victories, two of which were GC wins. In 2018, Donovan continued to shine as a GC rider in his first year as an U23, leading the Giro Ciclistico d’Italia before ultimately finishing in a very impressive fourth place.

Following that, he took seventh at Tour Alsace before a good 11th place overall at the Tour de l’Avenir. Donovan has also proven he is capable of strong results in one-day races, with a series of solid top 15 finishes at races such as Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Flèche Ardennaise.

On joining the team Donovan said: “Team Sunweb have proved themselves over the past few years to be one of the top WorldTour teams in the world, winning races like the Giro d’Italia and the TTT world championships. There is also a big focus on developing young riders like Marc Hirschi this year and many examples from the past; I think it will be the perfect place for me to grow in the next three years. For my first year I think it’s important for me to learn as much as possible, and get used to racing in the WorldTour. It’s going to be a big step up but I’m really excited to get into it and learn from the best. Over the next few years I’m hoping to continue to improve as a climber, as well as helping the more experienced riders as best I can.”

Team Sunweb coach Marc Reef added: “We have been in contact with Mark for quite a while and he joined our camp in January, making a good impression there. He showed his physical potential already last year, especially in the Baby Giro where he wore the Maglia Rosa and finished fourth place in GC. This year he has had some bad luck but we believe in him as a rider with big potential for the future, with his aggressive style of racing also one his qualities. Together with our experts we will make him a versatile program in the first years, to further develop him gradually and see in which direction and specialisation it will lead to in the future.”