Trek-Livestrong rider looks ready to head back home to Great Britain for 2011In a move that will surprise few, but likely vex the RadioShack team, Great Britain’s U23 European champion in the time trial, Alex Dowsett, looks set to move to Team Sky for 2011 according to Cyclism’Actu, who go on to cite sources close to the rider.
Dowsett currently rides for the Trek-Livestrong development team, which serves as a feeder to the ProTour RadioShack team. It was of particular interest this year when Dowsett was passed up for a stagiaire ride on the RadioShack team at the Tour of Denmark, but considering his looming signature for Team Sky, it makes a lot more sense.
The 21 year old time trial specialist took the win in fine fashion at the European Championships in Ankara, Turkey, on July 16th. Only a week and a half later, Dowsett took the win in the fifth stage criterium at the Cascade Classic in Bend, Oregon. A few weeks on from that wave of success, and the British standout is in action at the Tour of Utah. He placed second only to teammate Taylor Phinney in the opening prologue, then put together a sterling two-man effort with Fly V’s David Tanner to move into the leader’s jersey. The finishing ascent of Mt. Nebo in today’s Stage 2 proved to be a bit much for the European champion, but it has already been a successful trip to Utah for the huge talent. The incredibly fast duo of Phinney and Dowsett will get another chance to show off their speed in tomorrow’s third stage, 9.2 mile time trial at Miller Motorsports Park.
Both Dowsett and Phinney have shown themselves as arguably two of the best time trialists on the planet. It would seem a fair bet that either Dowsett or Phinney will grace the top step, and if not the top step, certainly the podium.