Cape Town - Team Dimension Data have confirmed that Mark Renshaw has signed a contract extension for 2019.

The 35-year old Australian has been an integral part of the team over the course of the last three years playing a vital role in some of the biggest results in the team's history.

The highlight being, undoubtedly, as part of the team that secured five stage victories at the 2016 Tour de France in which Mark Cavendish wore the race leader’s yellow jersey as well as the green sprinter’s jersey.

“I'm looking forward to racing my 16th season professionally with Dimension Data for Qhubeka in 2019. This will be my 4th season with the team where we have had some great success over the past 3 years,” said Renshaw.

“I'm excited to meet all my current teammates and all the new riders that will join us next season at our training camp in Cape Town next month.

“Working with our new sprinter Giacomo Nizzolo next season as well seeing Ryan Gibbons continue to develop will be very exciting, I looking forward to helping him and our other leaders in the sprint finals next season in my favourite position of lead-out rider. I will be sharing all my years of experience on the road to bring the team our best results.

“The Qhubeka charity is a huge part of this team and I am very proud to be a part of this. Helping put kids on bikes is a big motivation for all riders and the chance to be part of a handover each year in South Africa means a lot to me. 

“This year I will purchase 4 Qhubeka bikes; one for each year I have been with Dimension Data that will help a child in Africa.

Renshaw thanked team principal, Douglas Ryder for the chance to race as part of the team on the global stage. 

“A big thank you to Douglas Ryder for the opportunity to once again be part of the World Tour and to all the staff that work so hard during the season to help the riders. I can't wait for 2019 to roll around," added the Australian.

The man from Bathhurst’s extension sees the balance of our squad further improved as a hugely exciting crop of young talent will be looking to the experience of the likes of Renshaw as their careers develop.

His extension comes on the heels of the likes of Reinardt Janse van Rensburg, Edvald Boasson Hagen and Ben King together with the host of new signings to the team.

Team Principal Douglas Ryder, said: “Mark staying with us is a big moment for our team. It’s not just the obvious amount of experience that he has on the World Tour but it’s the huge success that he’s been a part of throughout his career. That will obviously play a big role as we look to stand on the top step of the podium more often in 2019.

“When Mark joined us in 2016 he quickly became part of a success story which I don’t think any of us imagined would have been possible. The memories from the Tour de France in that year are some of the most special we’ve had; and while only one rider crosses the line in first place we all know the role the whole team plays, with the lead-out train vital to that success.

“Mark’s ability to navigate his way through the peloton and position his sprinter in the perfect spot is right up with the best ever; to have him with us not only to continue doing that for our current crop of sprinters but also pass on that knowledge to the rest of our lead-out team, is fantastic.

“He’s not only been a great ambassador for his family and country but the way in which he conducts himself for the team and the Qhubeka charity shows that he ‘gets it’ and we’re looking forward to a successful 2019 together.”