Swift Move For Team Sky

After much talk about the move in the last couple of weeks, it was announced on the 3rd of January that Team Sky, the new British Pro-Cycling team had finally signed the young and talented British rider Ben Swift. There was originally controversy as Sky named him in their squad for the Tour Down Under last month while he was still, allegedly under contract to Katusha. On January 3rd 2010, the day before the official Sky launch, photos appeared on the web showing Swift in the new Team Sky kit, confirming the speculation.

In 2009, 22-year old Swift enjoyed a debut professional season that many riders would dream of; he finished a Grand Tour and the Giro d'Italia, and he scored a win and a string of top ten placings, including a top three finish in a stage of the Giro.

Commenting on his debut season, Swift said; "I’m really pleased with my first season. But I think I’m more surprised than pleased. I never expected to ride the Giro, then to get placings there, and to finish - that's what I was most happy about."

At the same time, Swift gave credit to Katusha for allowing the Brit the chance to race with Sky and for the opportunity that the Russian outfit gave him. "I'm massively grateful to Katusha for the opportunities they gave me," says Swift, "but coming to Team Sky feels like coming home because I know so many of the support staff and riders. I will be in the perfect environment to grow as a rider with Team Sky."

For Team Principal Dave Brailsford, Swift is a valuable addition to an already impressive line-up. He said; “Ben is a real talent and his future looks bright because he ticks all the boxes that it takes to make it in this sport. He’s extremely serious, skilled on bike, he can climb and sprint and I really believe he can go far with us. We’ve worked quite some time with him on the track and I think the next years could be a massive breakthrough for him on the road as well”.

Swift's arrival means that Team Sky have now completed their 26-man roster for the 2010 UCI tour. The full compliment of riders is as follows:

Bradley Wiggins, Geraint Thomas, Steve Cummings, Pete Kennaugh, Chris Froome, Ian Stannard, Russell Downing and Ben Swift [Great Britain] Davide Vigano, Dario Cioni, Morris Possoni [Italy], Edvald Boasson Hagen, Kurt Arvesen, Lars Petter Nordhaug [Norway], Chris Sutton, Simon Gerrans, Mathew Hayman [Australia], Sylvain Calzati, Nicolas Portal [France], Thomas Löfkvist [Sweden], Kjell Carlstrom [Finland], John Lee Augustyn [South Africa], Juan Antonio Flecha [Spain] Michael Barry [Canada], Greg Henderson [New Zealand] and Serge Pauwels [Belgium].

Remember as always, that throughout the cycling season SportTrades Report will be bringing you the latest news to do with Team Sky, as soon as we get it.