Norwegian to extend contract with British team by three years despite the arrival of World champion Mark Cavendish
After three months of negotiation between his agent Birger Hungerholdt and Team Sky, Norwegian star Edvald Boasson Hagen is almost ready to sign a new three-year contract, according to dagbladet.no. The 24-year-old was one of Team Sky’s best performing riders this season, taking two stage victories in the Tour de France, as well as the final stage, the overall and the points jersey at the Eneco Tour, and the Vattenfall Cyclassics.
He has reportedly attracted attention from a number of other teams, but is only negotiating to remain where he is; although negotiations with Sky team principle Dave Brailsford since the Tour have not yet led to Boasson Hagen putting pen to paper.
“Brailsford and I have always been in agreement that this has not been anything to worry about,” said Hungerholdt. “He is a very busy man, partly responsible for the British riders for the Olympics next year, and that's the reason we have not signed anything yet.”
Boasson Hagen’s current deal runs through 2012, but the new contract would reportedly keep him with the British team until 2014. The reason for the new deal now would secure more money for the Norwegian, who ended the year 12th in the International Cycling Union (UCI) WorldTour ranking.
“We have a nice accord with Brailsford, and there are only a few minor details remaining before we are in complete agreement,” explained Hungerholdt. “We no longer have contact with the other teams who tried to secure Edvald this summer.
“Brailsford is with the British team at the European Track Championships right now, but [the contract will be signed] sometime after that,” he added. “Within a month at the latest.”
One thing that could potentially have affected Boasson Hagen’s decision to sign his new contract is the arrival at Team Sky of newly crowned World champion Mark Cavendish. With the Manxman aiming at Tour de France stages – and the race’s green jersey – next year, the two riders could find their ambitions in conflict with one another.
“It changes nothing,” Hungerholdt said. “We’ve known since last summer that [Cavendish] was going to ride for Team Sky next year. Edvald will also get to take his chance in races.”
Boasson Hagen himself confirmed this, speaking to Norwegian TV channel TV2 at yesterday’s Tour de France presentation in Paris.
“It’s going to work out fine,” he said. “We are different riders. I’ll go for the stages that he doesn’t go for, and then I’ll work for him in the others.”