Ben Swift signs new two-year contract to keep him with Team Sky until end of 2016
Last Updated: 19/09/14 2:03pm
English sprinter Ben Swift has signed a new two-year contract with Team Sky, keeping him at the British squad until 2016.
The deal is reward for an impressive season in which the 26-year-old Yorkshireman finished third at Milan-San Remo in March, won stages of the Tour of the Basque Country and Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali, and took second place in the British national road race.
Swift was one of Team Sky’s founding members in 2010 and delivered their first stage-race win by claiming overall victory at that year’s Tour de Picardie.
He said: “I have been with Team Sky since the start and, five years on, it really does feel like home to me. To keep that relationship going was really important, so I’m delighted to be staying for another two years.
“I really do feel part of the foundations of this team, having grown up with so many of the riders and staff. I have known many of them since the start of my career and have been guided by the likes of Sir Dave Brailsford and Rod Ellingworth for years, which has made me the rider I am today.
I already have one eye on next season and, with this team, I know I can deliver some good results.
Ben Swift
'Grow and develop'
“With the team’s support, I have been able to grow and develop as a rider and by staying here I know that will continue.”
Swift’s fine 2014 season came after a difficult previous year in which he struggled for results due to a persistent shoulder injury that threatened to derail his career.
He underwent surgery to correct the problem last autumn and although he has already seen the benefits this campaign, he is hoping for even better performances in 2015.
“Next year I’m really looking forward to getting a solid winter behind me with no injuries, which unfortunately is something I lacked this year,” he added.
“I’m really focused on getting a good block of training in place, which will give me the platform to get good results in 2015. I already have one eye on next season and, with this team, I know I can deliver some good results."
