Bahrain-Merida and Mark Cavendish could unite for 2019 with a one-year deal between the WorldTour team and the former world champion in the process of negotiation. Over the last few weeks Cavendish and his representatives have been discussing possible moves to several teams. The sprinter is out of contract at Dimension Data at the end of the season, and while Cyclingnews understands that the rider was scheduled to have final talks with his current team last week, a deal has not yet been agreed. The relationship between Cavendish and Dimension Data boss, Doug Ryder, has deteriorated in the last few months, though a face-to-face meeting between the pair last week has apparently improved the situation, according to one source. Members of the Dimension Data set-up are keen to keep the veteran sprinter on board but a contract has yet to be offered. The team have already made several rider signings, investing heavily in Michael Valgren and Roman Kreuziger.ADVERTISEMENT While the situation at Dimension Data remains unresolved a potential move to Bahrain Merida has been put together with McLaren acting as a key component. The negotiations are complex and involve several parties, and this has been anything but a typical transfer discussion. The Bahrain holding group, known as Mumtalakat, holds a majority share in the McLaren Group and was created by the state in 2000 as a holding company for state-owned businesses. Cavendish has ties with the car company that stretch back to his time at HTC-Highroad when he rode Specialized bikes that were co-designed by McLaren. The Bahrain-Merida team are owned by Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, a member of the Bahrain Royal family, who has ties directly with Mumtalakat. Cyclignews understands that McLaren would effectively come on board as a major sponsor in the next two years, with Cavendish joining in 2019. The Bahrain-Merida team would not comment but Cyclingnews has learnt that the team is willing to take Cavendish for a ...
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