Josh Edmondson signs for Team Sky

Young British rider Josh Edmondson, who impressed while riding for Great Britain at this year's Tour of Britain, will join Team Sky in 2013, Cycling Weekly can confirm.

The 20 year-old was initially set to join the American Bontrager-Livestong team for next season. The move was brought into question in late November as Edmondson, who received offers from a number of WorldTour teams, considered his options (CW November 22).

Edmondson has been training with the British team in Mallorca in recent weeks along with the majority of the squad. He signed a two-year deal with the team. 

"We have been keeping an eye on Josh since his time on the Olympic Development Programme and feel he is more than ready to take the next step in his career with a move up to the pro ranks," Sky principal Dave Brailsford said.

"With the coaching and support staff on Team Sky, Josh is in the best possible place to continue his development and we look forward to watching him grow as a rider."

A former Olympic Development Programme athlete who placed fourth at the junior world championships road race in 2010, Edmondson left the track-based British Cycling setup and has spent the last two seasons living and racing for the Colpack team in Italy.

Despite a busy racing schedule he has also pinned a number to a GB jersey during the season, as was the case during this year's Tour of Britain.

His strengths lie in hillier terrain, as demonstrated by his attacking ride when stage six of the Tour of Britain hit Caerphilly Mountain. He also placed tenth overall at the Giro Valle d'Aosta, a top Italian amateur race, which first attracted the attention of Bontrager.

The Bontrager-Livestrong team has been home to a number of Sky riders in the past. Former Sky man Alex Dowsett rode for the outfit in 2010, while Sky's new recruits Ian Boswell and Joe Dombrowski both impressed for the American team this season. 

Related links

Josh Edmondson: in form and in demand

CW's British riders of 2012: No. 40-39