“I will continue to focus on my time trial but also all other races, especially stage races, including the Grand Tours, are important for me,” he said.

“I know that I will get my chances but I am ready to be a good domestique. In my period with Team Sky, I was one of the riders to protect Mark Cavendish and bring him to the last kilometer. I hope to do the same now with Marcel Kittel.

“I am good in positioning other riders to the sprint, but also to the climbs. Katusha-Alpecin will not regret this transfer. The team has evolved so much the last years. It’s an honour for me to be part of it. I will not disappoint them.”

Dowsett is the fourth signing announced by Katusha-Alpecin this winter, joining Kittel, Dowsett’s fellow former Trek-Livestrong alumni Ian Boswell (Team Sky) and Dimension Data’s Nathan Haas.

He will be only the second Brit to ride for the team since their 2009 induction, with Ben Swift having been with the team for their first season before joining Team Sky.

Dowsett is the second of the British UCI WorldTour riders to announce his decision to move teams in the winter, with Peter Kennaugh set to join Bora-hansgrohe from Team Sky.