Team Sky keen on JTL

Jonanthan Tiernan-Locke: Strongly linked with move to Team Sky

Team Sky team principal Dave Brailsford admits he would like Tour of Britain winner Jonathan Tiernan-Locke to be a part of his squad next year.

On Sunday Tiernan-Locke became the first home rider to win Britain's national tour in its current guise, completing his victory after a sprint stage into Guildford.

The 27-year-old is a relative latecomer to the professional peloton as, after enjoying a promising youth career, he took time out from the sport due to illness and university studies.

But now he is back on the bike full-time and following a standout season with Endura Racing Brailsford is keen to give him the opportunity to join a top-level WorldTour team.

"Great talent. I've been impressed with Jonathan for a long time and he's now confirming what we thought," Brailsford told the Daily Mirror.

Exciting

"He is a very exciting prospect for anybody who can get their hands on him. Given an opportunity we (Team Sky) would be very excited to sign him."

Tiernan-Locke is also keen on joining Team Sky, hinting that negotiations over a possible move are already at an advanced stage.

"I don't think it's all finalised yet, but possibly," he told Sky Sports News when asked if he would be moving to the team.

Tiernan-Locke will be part of the British team for Sunday's road race at the World Championships and Brailsford believes the hilly course in Limburg will play to his strengths.

Brailsford added: "The next step for him is to test his talent on a bigger stage and the Worlds is an interesting place to start.

"He's obviously in great form and given the (hilly) nature of the course you'd think it would be suited to him."

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