Brian Cookson: Team Sky is failing UK talent

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. 

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