Team Sky have announced that Norwegian rider Gabriel Rasch has signed a one-year deal, which has thrown Mark Cavendish's place with the team into doubt.

Cavendish recently hinted that the Tour of Britain was his last race for Team Sky and the acquisition of Rasch, who spent one season at FDJ-BigMat, could be the biggest indication yet that the Brit will leave.

Rasch told the club's official website: "Team Sky were the number one team I wanted to join and I'm really happy to have signed. I know a lot of the riders already and a lot of the performance staff as well and I'm sure I'll settle in quickly.

"Everyone here seems so down to earth and on the road they strike the perfect balance of enjoying their jobs whilst being serious at the same time. Everything is really well organised and the fact that they are an English-speaking team is a big plus for me.

"Next season I hope I can get into the Classics team because I have a lot of experience with that type of riding, and I'll be happy to work as a domestique during the stage races as well."

Rasch is due to represent Norway in the World Championships on Sunday.