Team Sky finalise 2018 roster with signing of promising Italian Leonardo Basso
Team Sky announce their final signing for the 2018 season, completing their 30-rider roster
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Team Sky's 30-rider 2018 roster has been completed with the signing of promising 23-year-old Italian Leonardo Basso.
Basso had a taste of the WorldTour at the end of the 2015 season, when he rode as a stagiaire for Trek-Segafredo. He now joins Team Sky for his first year as a professional rider, and says that he wants to quickly gain experience learning from his team-mates.
"It’s a dream come true to be joining Team Sky," said Basso. "My main objective is to help the team wherever I can. I want to learn about the job and what it means to be a pro bike rider. I want to learn as much as I can from my team-mates and increase my level day by day.
“From watching the team you can see they have a clear focus, they pay attention to equipment and the details that go into cycling. It’s impressive to see the innovation and to now be a part of that.”
>>> Team Sky reveal new white kit for 2018 season
Sky sports director Dario Cioni describes Basso as having potential, particularly in hilly races.
“We’re happy to see Leonardo turn pro with us next year. He’s got potential and we want to see where we can get to working together.
“He’s not a true sprinter but he can survive the punchy climbs and he has the speed to sprint from smaller groups. We’ve seen him pick up some results there in the last few years.
“He’s another good addition to the group of young guys who are developing within the team.”
Basso is one of eight riders who will make their debut in the colours of the British WorldTour team in 2018, along with Jonathan Castroviejo, David de la Cruz, Dylan van Baarle, Egan Bernal, Kristoffer Halvorsen, Chris Lawless and Pavel Sivakov.
Team Sky principal Dave Brailsford said that Basso joins a strong line-up of developing talent as the team: "We are establishing a group of exceptional young riders at Team Sky. I have no doubt they are going to make a big impact and be an important part of our future.
“They have chosen to come to Team Sky because they know that our team is a place where they can best fulfill their potential, achieve their goals and be part of a winning culture.
“I believe the group of home grown and international young talent we are building represents the brightest future we have ever had at Team Sky.”
Team Sky: 2018 roster
Rider | nationality | age
Leonardo Basso | Italy | 23
Egan Bernal | Colombia | 20
Jonathan Castroviejo | Spain | 30
David de la Cruz | Spain | 28
Philip Deignan | Ireland | 34
Jon Dibben | Great Britain | 23
Owain Doull | Great Britain | 24
Kenny Elissonde | France | 26
Chris Froome | Great Britain | 32
Tao Geoghegan Hart | Great Britain | 22
Michal Golas | Poland | 33
Kristoffer Halvorsen | Norway | 21
Sebastian Henao | Colombia | 24
Sergio Henao | Colombia | 29
Benat Intxausti | Spain | 31
Vasil Kiryienka | Belarus | 36
Christian Knees | Germany | 36
Michal Kwiatkowski | Poland | 27
Chris Lawless | Great Britain | 22
David Lopez | Spain | 36
Gianni Moscon | Italy | 23
Wout Poels | Holland | 30
Salvatore Puccio | Italy | 28
Diego Rosa | Italy | 28
Luke Rowe | Great Britain | 27
Pavel Sivakov | Russia | 20
Ian Stannard | Great Britain | 30
Geraint Thomas | Great Britain | 31
Dylan van Baarle | Holland | 25
Lukasz Wisniowski | Poland | 25
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
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.
-
-
20 year-old sprints to clean sweep at British Track Champs
Emma Finucane wins two titles on the closing day of the championships
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Marius Mayrhofer pulls off surprise win at Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
DSM rider breaks down with emotion after he crosses the finish line
By Stephen Puddicombe • 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