Cofidis have completed the signing of Elia Viviani, taking the Italian sprinter from Deceuninck-QuickStep, where he has flourished in the past two seasons. The French team have also signed one of Viviani`s lead-out men, Fabio Sabatini. Viviani confirmed during the Tour de France that he would leave Deceuninck-QuickStep at the end of the season, and was heavily linked with a move to Cofidis. The French team, managed by Cedric Vasseur, currently operate in the second-division Pro Continental ranks, but are determined to move up to WorldTour level, and Viviani represents a marquee signing and statement of intent. ADVERTISEMENT The 30-year-old Italian has established himself as one of the world`s top sprinters since he left Team Sky for QuickStep in 2018. With a dedicated lead-out train, he won 18 races in 2018, including four stages at the Giro d`Italia and three at the Vuelta a Espaņa, and has won eight times so far in 2019, including a stage at the Tour de France and the recent RideLondon Classic. While Viviani`s number-one lead-out man Michael Morkov will remain at Deceuninck-QuickStep, Cofidis have sought to support Viviani with the signing of Sabatini, 34, who was reunited with Viviani at QuickStep after an earlier partnership at Liquigas. `Talking to Cedric Vasseur and Roberto Damiani [sport director], I noted the extent to which Cofidis wanted to recruit me and propose an ambitious project,` Viviani said. `I very much appreciate the willingness to create a dynamic around me and the confidence placed in me through the arrive of my friend Fabio. The Cofidis jersey is among the most historic in the peloton and it`s a source of pride to wear it. Analysis
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