Team Sky sign British under-23 road champ Chris Lawless
The rider will leave development team Axeon-Hagens Berman to join Team Sky for the 2018 season
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Team Sky have secured yet another up-and-coming talent in Chris Lawless from developmental team Axeon Hagens Berman for 2018.
Lawless, who is the current British national under-23 road race champion, will be in good company alongside Owain Doull and Tao Geoghegan Hart, who were both crowned British national under-23 road race champions, in 2015 and 2016 respectively.
The young rider's palmarès also includes victory at the ZLM Tour 2017, a race won by the likes of Fabian Cancallara and Luke Rowe (twice) in the past. Lawless also added a stage at this year's Tour de l'Avenir to his wins, a coveted victory for any up-and-coming racer.
Axeon team manager, Axel Merckx, had a lot of praise for the young Brit.
"I think the results speak for themselves," Merckx said. "Chris was a nice addition at the end of last year we got him on the team and to give him a good schedule and right away proved his value.
"He’s taken a lot of responsibility on the bike, he captained with guidance and motivation and helping his teammates out on the race. He got a lot of second places early in the season and was able to change that to wins in the latter part."
Team Sky secured the transfer after also signing Pavel Sivakov, Kristoffer Halvorsen and Egan Bernal in a move that shows Team Sky's willingness to think about an era without Chris Froome.
Lawless' addition wasn't a rash decision though with Rod Ellingworth, Team Sky's performance manager, signalling him out before his stellar 2017 season.
“We first saw Chris a couple of years back and he is someone we’ve been keeping an eye on," Ellingworth said.
“He put in a really good ride at the nationals earlier in the year, not just in terms of the result but also in the way he rode. He’s strong and fast, and he attacked it from the gun which was impressive.
“He’s a British talent with lots of potential, and he has the capability and capacity to learn and develop with us” he said.
After gaining the attention of Team Sky and securing a dream move to one of the most dominant stage-race teams in the WorldTour today it seems Lawless' work has just begun.
“I want to improve in every area. I’m hoping to become a more all-round bike rider and Team Sky is going to be the best place for me to do that" the young rider said.
Team Sky are currently taking part in the Vuelta a España which continues with stage 13 from Coín to Tomares over 194km.
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
-
-
'Don't use the bike': OPEN recalls all of its Campagnolo Ekar-equipped bikes and framesets
In Cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, OPEN Cycle has sent out a recall for all its Campagnolo Ekar-equipped gravel and road bikes.
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Tour of Flanders 2023: Five men and five women to watch on Sunday
Taking a closer look at the favourites ahead of this year's Ronde van Vlaanderen
By Tom Thewlis • 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