Yorkshire’s Ben Swift will line up for Team INEOS at next month’s OVO Energy Tour of Britain, 10 years after claiming his first ever professional victory in the race. Swift’s participation in the UK’s leading cycle race comes just weeks after he won the HSBC UK | National Road Championships in Norwich.
In his first season as a professional, Swift memorably won the penultimate stage of the 2009 Tour in Yeovil a decade ago aged just 21. The 2007 SKODA King of the Mountains winner and a nine-time finisher in the race, he also recorded five top-10 finishes during the 2014 edition and placed eighth overall two years later riding for Team INEOS’ predecessors Team Sky.
Team INEOS’ full six-man roster for this year’s OVO Energy Tour of Britain will be announced next week.
“I love the Tour of Britain and can’t wait to race on home roads in the national bands,” said Swift. “That’s something I’ve dreamt of doing since I started my career.
“It’s going to be a special week and we’ll hope to do something special on the road too. I know we’re taking a strong team to the start in Glasgow and we look forward to seeing great support out on the roads.”
OVO Energy Tour of Britain race director Mick Bennett said: “We’re honoured that the reigning British road race champion will be competing in this year’s race. I’ve enjoyed watching Ben’s career since he made his Tour of Britain debut in 2006 and have a feeling he’ll be in the mix for success this September.”
The 2019 OVO Energy Tour of Britain, which begins from George Square in Glasgow on Saturday 7 September and concludes for the first time in Greater Manchester on Saturday14 September.
