Lucas Hamilton signs three-year deal with Orica-Scott

Promising Australian climber Lucas Hamilton has joined Orica-Scott on a three-year deal. The 21-year-old has impressed in the U23 ranks this season with second at the Baby Giro, fourth at the Tour de l'Avenir, and victory at Tour Alsace.

Hamilton explained to Cyclingnews in August that he was ready to step into the WorldTour from 2018 and will graduate from the team's development squad Mitchelton-Scott.

"I am really looking forward to joining such a fantastic team like Orica-Scott next year. It has always been a dream of mine to join the WorldTour and I couldn't be happier to be making that step up with an Australian team," said Hamilton.

ADVERTISEMENT

"It is exciting to think about continuing my development as a rider and being in a position to learn off the older guys on the team with the success that they have achieved and the experience that brings. I can't wait to see what the future holds."

Hamilton follows in the footsteps of Rob Power and Jack Haig as U23 GC riders to sign for Orica-Scott and represents the team's long terms investment in young riders. While Orica-Scott has built its Grand Tour squad around Esteban Chaves, and Adam and Simon Yates, Power, Haig and Hamilton are the next riders in line.

Alongside Hamilton on Mitchelton-Scott, Jai Hindley, and Michael Storer are also considered future GC talents although the duo opted to sign with Sunweb on similar three-year deals.

You can read more at Cyclingnews.com