Doull and Geoghegan Hart part of Team Sky's 'second generation', says Brailsford
Owain Doull watched Team Sky at its launch back in 2010 and is now part of its new generation of British talent
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Team Sky, after being in the peloton for seven years, is working on creating its "second generation" of British stars for 2017 and beyond with contracts like those with Owain Doull and Tao Geoghegan Hart.
Doull, who just returned from winning the team pursuit Olympic gold medal with Sir Bradley Wiggins, witnessed the first generation take shape when he attended the 2010 team launch at the age of 16. Next year, it will be his and Geoghegan Hart's turn to put on Sky's kit and lead the team.
"These riders have seen the other stars like Bradley win and now they're joining the team," team principal Sir Dave Brailsford told Cycling Weekly. "There is still a bunch of the guys who created the team here, but now there is a sort of second generation coming through with ambitions to be a part of the team.
"It's exciting because they come through with different experiences and different expectations growing up and seeing British riders win the Tour de France and win big races. That wasn't the case in our group when we first started out. Their confidence and beliefs in terms of what's doable has increased."
Both riders have ridden as trainees for Team Sky. Geoghegan Hart, 21, decided to race another year with Axel Merckx's Axeon Hagens Berman development team even though Sky wanted him already for the 2016 season. Doing so, he had more time to develop his stage race strengths.
"Tao is an interesting one because he decided to do another 12 months at that level," continued Brailsford. "It's proven to be the right decision. He's had some pretty good performances this year. He's been involved in the front of the races. He's matured and learned some more."
“We're thinking [he’s a GC rider]. I can't see why he wouldn't be. But like everything else, I think the key is to break it down into bite-sized chunks and look for progression, and not worry too much about the end result.”
Doull, 23, worked his way through on the track and rode 2015 and 2016 with Team Wiggins. Doing so, he placed third in the Tour of Britain and of course, had time to train to help Great Britain to another team pursuit gold.
"It's helped that he's been a lot around Bradley and observing what he does. He's professional, has attention to detail and he's a very exciting prospect. It'll be good to see which direction he can go in this sport," said Brailsford.
"As Bradley says, he's very much like a very young Geraint Thomas. He's fast and he can climb. That's the great thing we really don't know yet what's possible. That's the fun, helping someone develop to discover where his niche is and seeing how you can help them develop.
"We need to focus on that first phase of his development, and his opportunities are quite broad. He'll be able to specialise as he goes through and learn what he is very good at later on his career."
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
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
Skip the gatorade, nonalcoholic beer may be as good as, or even better than, sports drinks
Dry January may be over but you may want to keep stocking those nonalcoholic beers — for fitness sake.
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Rider hangs from bridge after huge pile-up at Etoile de Bessèges, stage neutralised
Valentin Ferron escapes with minor injuries as others taken to hospital
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Global backers in talks over new British WorldTour team
Former management of Ribble Weldtite courting interest in new project
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I remember the crowds more than anything': Tom Pidcock recalls his Alpe d'Huez Tour de France stage win
Our male rider of the year, Tom Pidcock, talks us through the highs and lows of his 2022 campaign
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Leo Hayter, Cycling Weekly's rising star of 2022, talks through his season in the spotlight
We caught up with the winner of the "Baby Giro" to hear all about the win in Italy and his dream move to Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers release 'visibly fast' 2023 jersey
Navy is replaced with red as British team changes its look
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Where next for Mark Cavendish after B & B Hotels-KTM's collapse?
We look at where the ‘Manx Missile’ could find himself next after the collapse of B & B Hotels-KTM
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘It’s a good thing and shows progression of the sport’ - Ben Swift hails changes at British Cycling academy
Ineos Grenadier says putting academy riders in with development teams will encourage development of many skills
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I know I can do it so I need to make that next level': Ben Turner signs Ineos Grenadiers contract extension
The Classics and another Grand Tour are on the agenda for Doncaster's Big Ben
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Tom Pidcock unsure whether he will defend cyclocross world title in 2023
“I don’t know yet, crossing in the winter and being good in the classics is a difficult combination” Pidcock said
By Tom Thewlis • Published