Team Sky have announce the signing of Tasmanian Nathan Earle, the first signing for the 2014 season which they say continues their commitment to developing up-and-coming cycling talent from around the world. The 24-year-old has gained a reputation as a strong climber after a string of impressive results this season both in the domestic Australian National Road Series and abroad, including wins at the New Zealand Cycle Classic, Tour de Taiwan and Tour of Japan.
Earle, who rode with Team Sky’s fellow Tasmanian Richie Porte for two years for the Praties squad (currently Huon Salmon – Genesys Wealth Advisors) between 2008 and 2009, says of his signing, ‘This was the next step I was looking to take and I’m lucky enough to be signing with the most well-drilled team in the pro peloton. I’m just excited to get amongst that and work for the team. It’s pretty special and I can’t wait to get started next year… To be riding alongside the likes of Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome and Richie Porte is a real honour.
Head of Performance Support at Team Sky, Tim Kerrison added: ‘I’m delighted that Nathan will be joining us from the start of the 2014 season. He has shown great qualities and a strong mentality that we look for in Team Sky riders and he will be a great addition to the team… The Australian system has identified him physiologically as being a real talent and we’re starting to see that with his results on the road. He recently won the Tour of Toowoomba in Australia, winning the hard uphill finish on stage two and has a number of other good wins under his belt.’
