Ben Swift unsure of future with Team Sky
British rider may look elsewhere when his contract ends as team and personal targets move further apart
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Ben Swift is keeping an open mind this year as his ambitions and Team Sky’s GC objectives move further apart.
The 28-year-old kicked off his 2016 season at the Tour Down Under with an eye on stage success, but his best finish was second behind Simon Gerrans on stage four.
Swift — one of only five riders to have ridden for Sky since the team’s debut 2010 campaign — says he is “happy at the minute” with the team, but that he has observed a divergence in direction.
“In Sky we don’t really have that [lead-out train] anymore. The first couple of years we were all about that, but, quite rightly so, the team has become so dominant in stage racing that that’s very much second now,” Swift said.
No more Sky train
Sky does foster sprinters in Swift, Giro d’Italia stage winner Elia Viviani and new signing Danny Van Poppel, but has become the stage race team of reference with three Tour de France victories among others in recent years. Where that leaves Swift beyond 2016 remains to be seen.
“I’m on my second year and there was an option with a third,” he said of his existing contract. “I need to speak with the team and see where we are at with that and what my options are.”
Nonethless, the team granted the versatile sprinter permission to stay at his South Africa winter base instead of travelling to the normally compulsory December team training camp in Majorca.
“I’ve been there [South Africa] for four years now so I know I can train pretty well there, instead of adding more travel days,” he said. “It’s perfect for what I need — six-seven kilometre climbs, it’s windy, bit of flat, good bit of sun, which you don’t get in Yorkshire or the Isle of Man
in November.”
Swift has identified the Tour de Yorkshire as an early-season objective after crashing out of the opening stage and injuring his shoulder last year.
“Generally, I just want to be consistent, have a good start and get some confidence back.
“Milan-San Remo will definitely be back on the cards again but the cobbled Classics not so much. For me, it’s going back to the weeklong stage races that are lumpy,” he added.
“I enjoy the big bunch sprints but they’re not really my forte. It’s much better when there are 30-40 guys left.”
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Nick Bull is an NCTJ qualified journalist who has written for a range of titles, as well as being a freelance writer at Beat Media Group, which provides reports for the PA Media wire which is circulated to the likes of the BBC and Eurosport. His work at Cycling Weekly predominantly dealt with professional cycling, and he now holds a role as PR & Digital Manager at SweetSpot Group, which organises the Tour of Britain.
-
-
What is the secret new bike tech behind LAB71, Project Black and 795RS? We go codebreaking...
What we know so far about the unreleased bikes and components from Cannondale, Specialized and Look...
By Luke Friend • Published
-
CW Live: Nairo Quintana not retiring from cycling; Four UAE riders crash out in Mallorca; Cardiff velodrome set for demolition; UAE Tour routes announced; London councillor says cyclists in tunnel 'increasingly dangerous'
Everything you need to know in the world of cycling this Wednesday
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Egan Bernal has nose operation to help 'air passage' ahead of 2023
Procedure not thought to be connected to the life-threatening crash which affected Colombian last year
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tweets of the week: Ineos Grenadiers' three wise men, team jersey déjà vu and World Cup celebrations by bike
Here's our social media round-up, featuring a cycling all-star nativity
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers sign their first female rider
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot reported to be joining new Ineos mountain bike team, alongside Tom Pidcock
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
Remco Evenepoel transfer to Ineos Grenadiers is ‘too stupid for words’ says Patrick Lefevere
Lefevere revealed he has been laughing at speculation around the new world champion
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers sign unknown 18-year-old Michael Leonard
Canadian is the latest young rider to join the British squad
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers sign 18 year-old time trial and track talent Josh Tarling
The 18-year-old is a two-time Welsh national track champion, and finished second in the 2021 junior worlds time trial
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Ineos set to launch new Kenyan cycling academy with Eliud Kipchoge - the first man to run a marathon under two hours
The multinational chemicals company will work in partnership with Ineos Grenadiers and Eliud Kipchoge
By Ryan Dabbs • Last updated
-
Have you heard the one about why Australian track riders dye their hair blonde? Ineos Grenadiers's Luke Plapp reveals all as he seeks world track and road glory
The Ineos Grenadiers youngster is expected to be one of the peloton's strongest time triallists in the ensuing seasons
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published