Brian Cookson: Team Sky is failing UK talent
UCI president and former member of the team's operating board says homegrown riders are not being developed by the squad.

UCI president Brian Cookson believes Team Sky has abandoned one of its original pledges of seeking to develop young British riders.
Cookson was a member of the operating board of the team’s owners, Tour Racing Limited, from its inception in 2010 until he was elected into his current position last September.
But during an interview for CW's sister magazine, Cycle Sport, Cookson bemoaned the team’s changed position on blooding home-grown talent.
“I’m reluctant to criticise Sir David Brailsford in any way because he has done amazing things with British Cycling and with Team Sky, but I feel that the team isn’t quite staying true to one of the reasons it was formed,” said Cookson.
Sky’s 2010 line-up contained eight British riders. The 2014 team still had eight British riders, but the riders from other countries had grown from 18 to 20.
With regards to the initial stated aims of developing British talent, the team's second youngest rider, Josh Edmondson, is rumoured to be joining MTN-Qhubeka for 2015.
And arguably the most promising young British talents in the past five years – Adam and Simon Yates – turned professional this season with the Australian Orica-GreenEdge squad.
"I mean, the Yates brothers should be in Team Sky," Cookson added.
See this week's Cycling Weekly (October 23), and the December 2014 issue of Cycle Sport - both in the shops now - for more with Brian Cookson.
Team Sky eyes Yates brothers for 2016
Team Sky boss David Brailsford says signing Adam and Simon Yates would 'make absolute sense'
UCI president Brian Cookson announces Cycling Independent Reform Commission
Three members of new independent commission appointed by UCI will 'investigate the problems cycling has faced in recent years'
David Brailsford resigns from British Cycling post
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
Chris has written thousands of articles for magazines, newspapers and websites throughout the world. He’s written 25 books about all aspects of cycling in multiple editions and translations into at least 25
different languages. He’s currently building his own publishing business with Cycling Legends Books, Cycling Legends Events, cyclinglegends.co.uk, and the Cycling Legends Podcast
-
-
Geraint Thomas 'helps a brother out', aiding Mark Cavendish's valedictory Giro d'Italia stage win
Cavendish now has one final Giro stage win. Will he get one final Tour de France equivalent in July?
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Charlotte Kool wins final stage of RideLondon-Classique to seal overall victory
Kool edges out Dyget and Van der Duin in bunch sprint
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
British Cycling CEO says ‘fairness’ is the key driver for new transgender policy
According to Jon Dutton, ‘fairness’ key driving factor in competitive policy whereas ‘inclusivity’ the key principle in non-competitive policy
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘This is a violent act’ - Emily Bridges slams British Cycling's trans policy banning her from women's competition
New policy issued by national governing body will prevent Bridges from racing in the women's category at BC races
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
British Cycling blocks transgender riders from competing in female category
New guidelines on the participation of transgender and non-binary athletes have been released by the national governing body after a nine month review process
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
This 39-year-old INEOS Grenadiers rider moonlights as a pro triathlete
A Jack of all trades, Cameron Wurf is a domestique for INEOS Grenadiers professional cycling team, but doubles as a successful pro triathlete.
By Kristin Jenny • Published
-
CW Live: Remco Evenepoel wins opening Giro d'Italia time trial; Stage winner confusion at La Vuelta Femenina; Lance Armstrong is sent to Mars; British cycling legend Tony Doyle dies
All the latest cycling news, plus updates from stage one of the Giro d'Italia
By Tom Davidson • Last updated
-
British Cycling reportedly considering ban on transgender riders in elite female races
The governing body's new guidelines are due to be announced within the next month
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers' only female rider Pauline Ferrand-Prévot eyes road return
Mountain bike legend could be back in the peloton next year
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
British Cycling launches Travel Club for members with Sportive Breaks
Cycling's governing body in the UK partners with travel specialists Sportive Breaks to give members offers on gran fondo and cyclo-sportive events
By Adam Becket • Published