With smaller teams, tighter cut-off times, and short, explosive stages, Tour sprinters find themselves off the back.

The South African-registered team inks deals with the British sprinter and Deloitte Consulting for next season.

"Everything that could go wrong, did," said Etixx-Quick-Step boss Patrick Lefevere

Veteran leadout man Mark Renshaw ready to pilot Mark Cavendish to further 2015 success in Turkey

Mark Cavendish adds another victory to his 2015 tally with the win at the Clásica de Almería in Spain

The six-day race in South Australia gets underway January 20

Renshaw takes his first win in an Omega Pharma-Quick Step kit and moves into overall lead in Britain

Renshaw signed with Omega Pharma-Quick Step in the offseason after the riders were separated for two years

Caleb Ewan has drawn comparisons to the British speedster and will ride for Orica-GreenEdge this summer

Aussie is hunting victory in Alberta before returning to the side, or front wheel, of Mark Cavendish