Peter Kennaugh to leave Team Sky for Bora-Hansgrohe in 2018

Former British national champion Peter Kennaugh signs two-year deal with German outfit Bora-Hansgrohe

Peter Kennaugh at the 2015 Tour Down Under
(Image credit: Graham Watson)

Peter Kennaugh and Daniel Oss have both signed two-year deals with the German Bora-Hansgrohe team, starting from the 2018 season.

Having spent seven years with British Team Sky, Manxman Kennaugh joins Bora-Hansgrohe with the aim of leading the squad in shorter stage races.

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"Peter Kennaugh did an excellent job in the past for Sky, he was several times part of the team winning the Tour," said Bora-Hansgrohe team manager Ralph Denk.

"However, we think he still has potential to improve as a rider. Being a strong climber, who is also fast on the flat, he should be able to win some stage races, and we want to support his development into this direction. Peter will be one of our leaders for one-week tours next year."

Peter Kennaugh winning on Alpe d'Huez during the 2017 Critérium du Dauphiné. Photo: Alex Broadway/ASO
(Image credit: ASO/A.Broadway)

Kennaugh himself said that he was 'excited' with the move.

"I am very excited to sign for Bora-Hansgrohe," said the 28-year-old.

"It is a great opportunity for me to begin a new chapter in my career with a team of huge potential. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to all the riders and staff that I have worked with during my time at Team Sky.”

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Despite often working in the service of nominated team leaders at Sky, Kennaugh has still managed to build up a strong set of victories in his seven years with the team.

Earlier this season he won a stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné, and last season he wore the race leader's jersey in the Vuelta a España. He has also won the 2016 Great Ocean Road Race and 2014 Tour of Austria.

Daniel Oss during the 2017 edition of Paris-Roubaix. Photo: Yuzuru Sunada
(Image credit: Yuzuru Sunada)

He was British road race champion in 2014 and 2015. On the track, Kennaugh helped Great Britain's team pursuiters to gold in the 2012 Olympic Games and 2012 World Championships.

Italian Oss has forged a name for himself as a super-domestique for five years with BMC Racing and before that, Liquigas. He will rejoin former team-mates Peter Sagan and Marcus Burghardt on the team.

"Oss was always on our list," said Denk. "He is a very reliable rider, performing over the whole season. Besides that, he is used to work for big leaders, and in our team, he will play a key role on the side of Peter Sagan in the spring Classics."

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Nigel Wynn
Former Associate Editor

Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, n exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.