Team Sky haved announce the signing of Tao Geoghegan Hart for the 2017 season.
 
Geoghegan Hart, 21, joins from Continental outfit Axeon Hagens Berman and is no stranger to the team, having raced in Team Sky colours as a stagiaire in 2015 at the Giro del Piemonte and Japan Cup.
 
The British U23 national road race champion has enjoyed a strong 2016 season, winning the Trofeo Piva and finishing 12th at the Tour of California and Tour of Utah, and he will now make the step up to the WorldTour for the 2017 campaign.
 
Geoghegan Hart said:
 
“It’s super exciting for me. There are guys here who have come through a similar path to me and also have a background on the track. I was on British Cycling’s programme up until the age of 18 when I went to Axeon, so these are riders that I have looked up to for a very long time. To be team-mates with them is very exciting, and hopefully it will make the step up into being a WorldTour rider a little bit easier.
 
“This season was about getting another year stronger, becoming more consistent, and developing as a rider and as a person, before making the big step up from a Continental team to a WorldTour team. I’m 21 now, so I think this is the ideal time to be stepping up into a big team. I’m super, super excited."
 
The London-born rider attended the Team Sky launch event in January 2010, aged just 14, and he has fond memories of that day. 
 
He added:

“I remember riding behind those guys and dreaming, just being in absolute awe. It’s not dissimilar to that now, dreaming to be on Team Sky, and I still look up to those guys. 
 
“I guess you never know, but maybe it was small moments like that when I was young that inspired me to go out there, ride my bike every day, and brought me to the path I find myself on years later.”
 
Team Sky Team Principal Dave Brailsford said: 
 
“We’ve been following Tao for a long time now and obviously had him with us as a stagiaire at the end of last year. He’s continued to show real progress this season and we’re delighted he’ll be taking the next steps in his career with Team Sky.
 
“Tao is another exciting addition to the group of young, talented British riders we have at Team Sky.”