Ben Swift returns to Team Sky after two-year absence

Ben Swift is to return to Team Sky after two seasons with UAE Team Emirates.

The 30-year-old from Rotherham was one of Team Sky’s founder members in 2010, joining it in a controversial move from Katusha, with whom he had just raced his first full professional season.

Twice a podium finisher at Milan-San Remo in Team Sky’s colours – he was third in 2014 and runner-up two years later – Swift was also fifth in the world championship road race in Norway last year.

His wins with Team Sky include two stages apiece at the Tour de Pologne and the Tour Down Under and, during his first season with the UCI WorldTour outfit, the overall at the Tour de Picardie.

Swift said: “It’s a great feeling to be re-joining Team Sky. Obviously I know the ins and outs of the team. I feel really comfortable here and it’s a place I’ve grown as a rider.

“There will be no teething troubles and I’ll be straight back in. I’m hoping that it will feel like I’ve never been away.”

He continued: “I’ve still got ambitions and aims for my own career, but I’m also really looking forward to going in and working with the young guys a little bit too.

“There’s an incredibly talented crop of young riders coming through and I’ve got a lot of experience now that I can lend them.

 “On the bike, I feel I’ve also got the ability to put a bit back into the sport as a useful all-rounder for the team. I want to be someone who can do a job and take their opportunity when it comes around.”

Rod Ellingworth, Team Sky’s performance manager Rod Ellingworth commented: “Ben has got a crucial role to play next season. He’s not only a fine rider in his own right, but he’s also a superb role model for the younger riders on the team to learn from, as we look to bring through the next generation at Team Sky.

 “In performance terms, he sits right in the middle of the team and he’s such a great team player. His attitude and professionalism sits perfectly in our team. He’s easy to work with and we can use him as a good example – he sets high standards and that’s what we’re about.

 “He’s at that age now where he can start to pass some of his experience to the younger guys in the team. We’ve invested a lot now in some young guys and we need a few of the core older riders to pass their knowledge on and show them the Team Sky way of racing. We know Ben will do that.

 “It’s great to welcome Swifty back to the team going into our tenth year,” he added.

While Swift did not get to taste victory with UAE Team Emirates, his most memorable day with them came during the Critérium du Dauphiné in June 2017 when he and former Team Sky colleague Peter Kennaugh got away from their breakaway companions on the Col de la Sarenne.

The Manxman would drop Swift 3.3 kilometres from the summit finish on Alpe d’Huez, but he held on for a surprise second place on the stage.