Mark Cavendish has agreed a deal to stay with Deceuninck-QuickStep for the 2022 season.
The 36-year-old was in line to pen his new contract following the Ghent Six before having to be hospitalised following a crash in the final stage of the event.
Cavendish has since recovered from fractured ribs and a punctured lung sustained in the incident, and he has spoken of his 'incredible' happiness at staying on with Deceuninck-QuickStep.
Speaking to the team's official website, Cavendish said: "I am incredibly proud and happy to have agreed a new deal with Deceuninck – Quick-Step. One year ago, when I came to the team, I did not hide my admiration for what this team does and how happy I was to be back here.
"I knew from my first time here that this squad has a unique family feeling, and it is a culture that remains to this day. The last 12 months have been phenomenal and the support that I have had from the team and the staff has made me very emotional at times. I am really looking forward to making some more special memories together over the next 12 months."
Team CEO Patrick Lefevere added: "The whole world saw what he did this year. What they didn't see though is the way that he speaks and leads within the team and encourages everyone – we have a very close group here and Mark always embodies that spirit, and while he may be the one that crosses the line with his hands in the air, he is the first to recognise the work that the team does as well, which means a lot to everyone. We are more than happy that we can continue the story with Mark for one more year."
Cavendish took the green jersey at the 2021 Tour de France - winning four stages to equal Eddy Merckx's event record.
Ben Knapton
