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Alex Dowsett
Fresh off the back of one of the most assured neo-pro seasons in years, Alex Dowsett has fully established himself within the Team Sky ranks as he prepares for his second year with the team.
Taking pride in his Essex roots, the 23-year-old has become a popular addition to the peloton and has quickly gained a reputation as one of the brightest prospects in the sport. Equally at home driving on the front of a lead-out train or alone on the time trial bike, Dowsett was part of a number of successful races including a two-stage haul at the Tour of California.
After a string of podium places a first professional win always looked on the cards and duly arrived after a daring late breakaway at the Tour du Poitou-Charentes. Despite taking time out with a mid-season ankle injury the win was just one race during a purple patch as Dowsett continued his momentum heading into one of his big goals of the season.
Lining up as favourite at the National Time Trial Championships, Dowsett battled back from a bike change to claim victory and the national title, before going on to register a superb victory on his debut in the new kit – the London time trial stage at the Tour of Britain.
The season culminated in the Brit’s first WorldTour race at the Tour of Beijing with Dowsett taking third in the opening time trial and holding the young rider’s jersey in the early going.
He explains: “I had the under-23 and the junior jerseys when I was younger but the men’s one is a real step up. On paper it says you are the fastest time trialler in Britain so it’s an honour to be able to wear those bands for a year now.
"I hoped I’d get a good few results in time trials but I never thought my first win would come in a road stage. I thought maybe at some point it might in a time trial or prologue but never envisaged it being in my first or second year. I still can’t quite believe it.
"I think the rest probably did me far more good than I realised. At the time I was worried I’d had two and a half weeks off the bike but clearly it’s done wonders for my form. I’ll probably have four weeks off next time!"
