Young Hackney cyclists sign for Tour de France winning Team Sky
Two young Hackney cyclists have signed contracts with the world-leading professional team behind Bradley Wiggins’ and Chris Froome’s Tour de France victories.
Alex Peters, 21, and Tao Geoghegan Hart, 20, members of Cycling Club Hackney, joined Team Sky as stagiaires, which gives them the opportunity to ride and compete with professional cyclists.
The pair, who have each won Hackney Sports Person of the Year in the under 21 category and been awarded out of Hackney Council’s Youth Sports Fund, were welcomed into Team Sky by its Head of Performance Operations, Rod Ellingworth.
He said: "We’ve been watching Alex and Tao progress over the last few years and they’re both showing real promise. It’s a big step in their developing careers and we’re happy that they are taking that step with us."
Tao, who started his apprenticeship on 1 August, said: "I’m really excited about the opportunity to stagiaire with Team Sky. To be able to ride alongside some of the best riders in the world will be a huge experience and opportunity to develop as a rider.”
Alex made his debut appearance at the RideLondon Classic on 2 August, and will sign a two-year contract with the team at the start of the 2016 season.
He said: “When I found out that the Team Sky staff were following my career, it made me extremely proud and motivated. I feel Sky is the best platform for me to listen, learn and develop. Signing for Team Sky is a dream come true and I can’t wait to start."
Team Sky was formed in 2009 with the aim of creating “the first British winner of the Tour de France within five years". Bradley Wiggins won the 2012 Tour de France, the first British winner in the race’s history, while teammate Chris Froome went on to win the Tour de France in 2013 and again this year.
Huge congratulations to Tao and Alex as well as their coaches on this incredible achievement. It is a genuinely exciting development not only for the boys but for the borough as a whole.
I’m proud that both Tao and Alex have been supported by the Council through the Youth Sports Fund which was set up for exactly this reason: to help the young people of Hackney realise their sporting potential.
The Council has a successful history in providing sporting opportunities for the borough’s youth and we’re determined to continue to do this.
The Council’s Youth Sports Fund has awarded nearly 400 grants towards the development of young athletes from Hackney since 2007.
For more information about applying for the fund, please contact the Council's Leisure & Physical Activity Team at: leisuresports@hackney.gov.uk or: 020 8356 4897.