Cav to be a dad!

World Road Champion Mark Cavendish announced via Twitter on Saturday morning (22/10/11) that partner Peta Todd is pregnant.

Peta, who has become a spokesperson for cycling in her own right and has completed charity rides for Help for Heroes, has a son born in 2006 named Finnbar. Her second child will be Mark's first.

"I'm happy to announce, beyond doubt, my proudest moment of this year.... @petatodd is pregnant. I'm going to be a daddy." (@MarkCavendish) 

"Can now confirm that whether or not the world is ready for it... there is a baby @MarkCavendish on the way. A very happy family this end." (@petatodd)

Peta told The Sun newspaper that she's "four months gone, which means it was conceived in July, during the Tour de France. It's a Tour baby." We'll therefore be eagerly anticipating the baby's appearance on the start line of either the Tour de France or the Giro Donne in about 22 years' time.


Congratulations to Peta, Mark and family!

Cav to Quick-Step Quashed

World Road Champion Mark Cavendish will not be riding with the newly-merged Omega Pharma-Lotto/Quick-Step team in the new season, says Quick-Step co-owner Bessel Kok.

The Dutch businessman, who shares ownership of four fifths of the team with Zdenek Bakala, said that while "there have been discussions about his future... both parties mutually agreed not to sign the contract." The cycling rumour mill went into overdrive last week when Sky - the overall favourite as Cav's destination for next year - confirmed that at present they have only an oral contract with the rider and nothing is signed. Cav is known to favour Specialized bikes, whereas Sky have a contract with Pinarello, and is personally sponsored by Nike - which would almost certainly end were he to go to Sky as the team is sponsored by competitor Adidas - leading many to speculate that Quick-Step's decision to ride Specializeds in 2012 was taken in order to accommodate the Manx superstar.

A quote from Omega Pharma manager Patrick Lefevere, in which a recounted comment made by Bernhard Eisel seems to confirm that Cav will go to Sky, suggests that efforts are taking place to iron out the reported difficulties and formulate a satisfactory deal between the rider and the British team.