Three debutants earn places in youthful Team Sky squad for Tour Down Under
Halvorsen, Lawless, and Bernal will all take to the start line in Team Sky colours for the first time
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Team Sky will take a youthful squad to the Tour Down Under with three riders racing with the team for the first time as part of the seven rider squad.
Kristoffer Halvorsen, Chris Lawless, and Egan Bernal will all race in a Team Sky jersey for the first time as they were named in team's squad for the opening race of the WorldTour season, which starts in Adelaide on January 16, with the same seven riders also taking to the start line of the pre-race People's Choice Classic criterium on January 14.
The team is completed by two other British riders, Jon Dibben and Owain Doull, as well as Salvatore Puccio and Lukasz Wisniowski.
Despite their youth, 21-year-old Halvorsen and 20-year-old Bernal will be given leadership opportunities in the race, with Bernal targetting the overall and Halvorsen looking to take advantage of the race's numerous sprint stages.
>>> Tour Down Under 2018 start list
“It’s a really young and exciting team and we’re keen to see how these guys develop. We’ll be gunning to try and take a stage win," said Team Sky sports director Brett Lancaster.
"We’ve got Kristoffer as our lead sprinter. His form is a bit unknown coming straight from Norway and stepping off the plane into temperatures of close to 40 degrees.
"Egan has already raced in a lot of big races. He’s no longer a neo-pro but he’s very young still. It’s going to be a really good chance to see where he is at, especially against the Australian riders who are in a home race and adapted already. We’ll see what happens come Willunga Hill and we’ll look to put him in a good position.
"It’s Willunga again where the race should be decided. Stage four has a good climb too but it’s similar to what we’ve seen in recent years. That Willunga day will be interesting for sure."
With Halvorsen the team's designated sprinter, Dibben and Doull will head into the race as lead-out men, while Puccio, the team's oldest rider at 28, will act as the team's road captain.
Team Sky Tour Down Under squad
Egan Bernal
Jon Dibben
Owain Doull
Kristoffer Halvorsen
Chris Lawless
Salvatore Puccio
Lukasz Wisniowski
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
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
-
Tailfin Top Tube Pack review - the all new range has been a resounding success
if you're fussy about details, this could one for you
By Stefan Abram • Published
-
Shimano issues stop riding and recall notice on Pro Vibe alloy stems
Company says cracks can form in Vibe Stems purchased since May 2020
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tom Pidcock: 'It won’t be difficult to beat my 2022 Classics results'
Ineos Grenadiers' multi-format star ready for central role in one-day racing this Spring
By Adam Becket • Published
-
No Egan Bernal at Paris-Nice as knee injury disrupts season
Former Tour de France champion "OK" but return is unknown at the moment
By Adam Becket • 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