Canyon Eisberg talent Harry Tanfield will ride for World Tour outfit Team KATUSHA ALPECIN next season.
The 23-year-old, from Great Ayton in North Yorkshire, has signed a two-year deal with José Azevedo’s squad following a string of eyecatching performances.
And Tanfield, who wore the Tour de Yorkshire leaders’ jersey this season after winning the opening stage into Doncaster, is still pinching himself. He said:
“The World Tour has always been the ultimate ambition. I have a foot in the door now and have two years to prove myself.
“I don’t pretend to think I have made it. The hard work starts now and the challenge is for me to show I can progress as a rider.
“I wanted to honour the faith Canyon has put in me, through Tim (Elverson) and Nick Allen (Canyon UK), so joining Katusha was always the dream.
“I had just set out on a training ride when José rang me. I was over the moon. Now I just can’t wait to get started.
“I have to thank everyone at Canyon Eisberg but especially Tim. We’ve worked together for three years and it has been a great ride.”
Azevedo will officially welcome Tanfield on board his KATUSHA ALPECIN squad on January 1, when the Yorkshireman will line-up alongside fellow Brit Alex Dowsett.
The general manager, who is a three-time Portuguese national time trial champion and Tour de France stage winner, said:
“We’ve been watching Harry with our partner Canyon for a while. He’s not only a talented time trial rider but we have seen on this year’s Tour de Yorkshire he has all the skills to win big races.
“While this is a big step for him now, we as a team will provide him with the best possible support to continue his positive development.”
Canyon Eisberg sports director Tim Elverson has spoken of his pride at Tanfield’s elevation to cycling’s top tier.
He sees it as another feather in the cap of his British UCI Continental outfit, who are busy preparing for next month’s Tour of Britain. Elverson said:
“I’m super happy. It is great Harry’s work has been recognised because he really does deserve it.
“It underlines Canyon’s commitment to our relationship and also shows we are operating at a level where we can deliver someone to the World Tour.
“Katusha are getting a very strong, young rider. Hopefully they can help him progress to the next stage and that is to be a reliable World Tour rider.
“I have no doubt that is what Harry will become. And from everyone at Canyon Eisberg, we wish him the very best of luck.”
Alongside his stage win at the Tour de Yorkshire, Tanfield was second to Geraint Thomas in the national time trial championship this season.
He also scooped a silver medal in the time trial at the Commonwealth Games in Australia and was runner-up in Dutch one-day races Midden-Brabant Poort Omloop and Ronde van Overijssel.
Tanfield claimed his maiden UCI win in December when grabbing the opening stage of the Tour of Quanzhou Bay in China.
He has just returned from racing the GP Stad Zottegem in Belgium on Tuesday and Veenendaal-Veenendaal Classic in Holland on Wednesday.
The Teesside University graduate will next be seen in action at the Omloop Mandel-Leie-Schelde Meulebeke in Belgium and Dutch Ronde van Midden Nederland on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
