Ben Swift
Date of birth: 5 November 1987
Height: 179cm
Weight: 69kg
Team: Team Ineos
Although recognised more as a sprinter on the road, Ben Swift's formative years in the saddle were spent as a track rider. His talents in the velodrome were spotted early on by British Cycling as he won junior national titles, and he became part of its Academy.
Success on the road followed in 2007, when Swift won a stage of the Giro delle Regioni in Italy and won the mountains classification in the Tour of Britain riding as a stagiaire for the Barloworld team.
In 2009, Swift got his first taste of being on a top-level team as he was signed to Katusha, where he won a stage of the Tour of Britain.
He was then signed by Sky for 2010, where he amassed a series of victories and high placings in prestigious races. The pinnacle has so far perhaps been his second place at Milan-San Remo in 2016 – following on from his third in 2014 – once again showing he has the potential to contest the biggest races.
After seven seasons with Sky, Swift elected to switch to the UAE Abu Dhabi team for 2017.
Clearly preferring the British nature of team Sky, he switched back for the 2019 season. He won the 2019 British national championships, arguably his biggest result to date.
Although a major victory has thus far eluded Swift, not least due to niggling injuries, a big win is surely just around the corner as the likeable Rotherham man reaches his early thirties.
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Geraint Thomas headlines eight-man Ineos Grenadiers squad for British National Road Championships
Welshman part of strong line-up for WorldTour team alongside two-time winner Ben Swift
By Tom Thewlis Published
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‘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
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Ben Swift among five contract renewals as Ineos Grenadiers complete 2022 squad
Jonathan Castroviejo, Salvatore Puccio, Brandon Rivera and Cameron Wurf also sign deals taking them into next season
By Adam Becket Published
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Ben Swift extends Settimana Coppi e Bartali lead after Sky wins team time trial
Team Sky win afternoon team time trial stage 1b to extend Ben Swift's lead at the top of the general classification
By Nigel Wynn Published
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Ben Swift in hunt for Giro d'Italia stage wins
British sprinter Ben Swift hoping to continue good form that saw him win a stage of Tour of the Basque Country
By Gregor Brown Published
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Ben Swift optimistic after ‘scary crash’ that left him in intensive care
Ben Swift is optimistic about his recovery after a crash that left him in intensive care not long after he re-joined Team Ineos.
By Alex Ballinger Published
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Diego Ulissi wins Giro stage five in Viggiano
Ulissi gets the better of Rodriguez, Evans and Boasson Hagen in an uphill sprint in Viggiano
By Simon Richardson Published
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Ben Swift and Team Sky will keep trying for a stage win in Giro
Sky will 'keep trying and catch Kittel off guard' in fight for Giro d'Italia stage wins
By Gregor Brown Published
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Ben Swift puts team problems behind him as he focuses on Milan-San Remo
British rider Ben Swift quickly settles into life at the UAE Abu Dhabi team as he builds up to this year's Milan-San Remo
By Sophie Smith Published
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Ben Swift pipped by Giant German Marcel Kittel in fast Giro d'Italia sprint
Sky sprinter looks ahead to next chances as the Grand Tour moves to Italy
By Sophie Smith Published
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Swift expecting great atmosphere on home Yorkshire roads (video)
Ben Swift is the bookmakers' favourite to win the Tour de Yorkshire, but he says having the likes of Bradley Wiggins and Marcel Kittel racing will make a great spectacle
By Stuart Clarke Published
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Swift reactions: Sky rider reflects on return from injury
With two podium finishes in his first race in six months, Ben Swift put in a confidence boosting performance at the Challenge Mallorca. But he won't be wildly gesticulating at his sprint rivals again in a hurry.
By Hugh Gladstone Published
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Ben Swift moves into overall lead in Settimana Coppi e Bartali
Ben Swift takes solo win on stage two to assume overall race lead in Settimana Coppi e Bartali in Italy
By Nigel Wynn Published
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Ben Swift: Yorkshire race the hardest Worlds I've done
The British champion finished 31st on a gruelling day at the World Championships
By Richard Windsor Published
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Alexander Kristoff wins Milan-San Remo
Britain's Ben Swift (Sky) places third behind Alexander Kristoff and Fabian Cancellara in Milan-San Remo 2014
By Stephen Puddicombe Published
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Ben Swift 'not under any illusions' about chances of Milan-San Remo victory
UAE Team Emirates sprinter Ben Swift know that there is a tough task ahead of him if he is to go one better than last year's second place at Milan-San Remo.
By Gregor Brown Published
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Ben Swift: Tour de Yorkshire ride will make up for Tour de France disappointment
Yorkshireman Ben Swift missed out when the Tour de France came to his home county last year, but hopes May's Tour de Yorkshire will make up for that
By Stuart Clarke Published
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Ben Swift on podium again in Mallorca
Team Sky sprinter Ben Swift places third behind Gianni Meersman on final day of Mallorca Challenge
By Nigel Wynn Published
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Ben Swift ends up in hospital after Tour de Romandie crash
British sprinter Ben Swift caught up in crash near the finish of the final stage of the Tour de Romandie
By Nigel Wynn Published
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Ben Swift: Five more stage win chances at Giro d'Italia
British sprinter Ben Swift aiming for maiden win in the Giro d'Italia, starting with Tuesday's stage
By Gregor Brown Published
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Ben Swift happy with Sky's Giro d'Italia start
"I actually felt really, really good – the best I’ve ever felt in a team time trial."
By Sophie Smith Published
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Ben Swift's WorldTour ride hangs in balance as TJ Sport team await UCI licence decision
TJ Sport team cancels training camp amid a bid for submit relevant WorldTour application paperwork to the UCI before the December 15 deadline
By Gregor Brown Published
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10 riders to watch out for in 2017
We pick 10 professional cyclists to keep an eye on during the 2017 race season
By Gregor Brown Published
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Ian Stannard and Ben Swift to appear at #ChatForCharlie fund-raising evening
WorldTour pro riders Ian Stannard and Ben Swift will take part in evening to raise funds for charity set up in memory of cyclocross racer Charlie Craig, who died aged 15
By Nigel Wynn Published
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Swift left frustrated despite strong Sky performance at Milan-San Remo
Team Sky rider Ben Swift misses out on top ten in Milan-San Remo after team lights up the race
By Richard Abraham Published
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Abu Dhabi backer saves Ben Swift's TJ Sport/Lampre team
Last-minute deal should see the finalisation of the WorldTour's 18th team
By Gregor Brown Published
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Ben Swift ready to go 'full gas' at Milan-San Remo
British sprinter Ben Swift aiming to make his second appearance on the Milan-San Remo podium
By Nigel Wynn Published
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Ben Swift sets sights on Tour de France after difficult start to season
Ben Swift is looking to make the most of any opportunities that come his way at the Tour de France this summer having not raced there since 2011.
By Sophie Hurcom Published
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Ben Swift posts photos of injuries from training crash as he is discharged from hospital
Team Sky rider crashed on training ride last week in Tenerife
By Paul Knott Published