Mark Cavendish joins Dimension Data team

JOHANNESBURG (AP) Former world cycling champion Mark Cavendish has joined South African team Dimension Data.

The British rider signed a three-year deal with the Pro Continental team, which is currently named MTN-Qhubeka but has secured a new sponsorship deal from 2016.

The team also announced the arrival of Cavendish allies Mark Resnshaw and Bernhard Eisel.

Cavendish, the 2011 world champion, recently underwent surgery on his left shoulder following a crash that ruled him out of the road cycling world championships in the United States.

Cavendish, who has won 26 Tour de France stages and rode for Belgium's Etixx-Quick Step the past three years, was out of contract at the end of the season.

MTN-Qhubeka became the first African team to compete in the Tour de France this year.