Tom Stewart moves up to Pro Continental level with One Pro Cycling

One Pro Cycling have confirmed that they have signed Tom Stewart from Madison-Genesis.

The 26-year-old had a stellar 2016 season in the domestic scene, with wins at the Lincoln GP, GP of Wales and Velothon Wales. He was also the best-placed British Continental rider at the Tour de Yorkshire, where he finished 11th, and came seventh in the National Road Race Championships in June.

His success led his former team manager Dave Povall to tell CW that Stewart was more than good enough to progress to a higher level.

Stewart, who has a degree in civil engineering from the University of Sheffield and started his cycling career in mountain biking, first broke to prominence in the 2014 Tour of Britain when he finished third on stage six after being in the day's breakaway.

He has been at Madison for the previous three years and will move up to Pro-Conti level for the first time in his career. “It goes without saying I’m thrilled to be joining One Pro Cycling for the coming season, it’s the perfect move for me," he said.

"Following three great years progressing with Madison Genesis I’m now at the point where a move up to Pro-Conti level is the obvious step. I’ve followed the development of One Pro closely over the last twelve months and it has to be said that what they have managed to achieve in the past year has been phenomenal.

"As a British rider whose focus is to progress as far as possible in the sport, the opportunity to join a British team with the same ambition is really special. This move to One Pro feels very natural and of course I can’t wait to see what we can achieve in the future.”

One Pro DS Phil West said: “Tom has gone from strength to strength over the past couple of seasons. He will certainly add to the dynamic of the team in the final 20km of our one day races as well as being a GC candidate for our target events such as the Tour de Yorkshire."