After seven years Ben Swift has finally flown from the Team Sky nest and set about forging a new future for himself at a new team. The 28-year-old will ride for Project TJ Sport in 2017 – formerly Lampre-Merida – and will lead the team in a number of races.
It is, without a doubt, the biggest and most important move if Swift's career with the British rider now in his prime years as a bike rider. A new environment, and certainly more freedom, could be all he needs to become one of the leading riders in next season's peloton.
"Stepping away from Team Sky is a big change, but it was an opportunity that I couldn't say no to," he tells Cyclingnews ahead of a short trip to the Isle of Man and then a lengthy block of training in South Africa.
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"To be honest, my contract was up for renewal, and I wanted to see what options I had floating around out there. TJ Sport came with the best opportunities and deal, and they wanted to sign me as a leader. I want to take that next step, and although I've had a fantastic seven years at Team Sky, I am very limited in what I can do there."
Swift joined Team Sky for the inaugural 2010 season after a one-year stint at Team Katusha. Earmarked as a promising one-day racer with a decent kick in his legs he became part of the team's Classics backbone. Not only that, but he has also developed into a sprinter who could climb - vital ingredients of being successful in week-long races.
However, injuries and a powerful stage racing pecking order meant that Swift's opportunities became limited. There were flashes of his class – twice making the podium in Milan-San Remo – but chances to shine were becoming few and far between. With his contract up it was time to move on. However, the decision to leave what was essentially his home was not an easy one.
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