Combining track and road in recent years, 25-year-old Welsford has tasted success in both disciplines throughout his career so far.
The 2020 Australian criterium champion has taken several wins and strong results while racing Down Under, alongside other great results in the National Road Series and kermesses during his brief stints racing in Europe. The West Australian is a sprinter who has also shown that he can handle tough races, performing well in Melbourne to Warrnambool in the past and winning the bunch sprints behind breakaway winners.
It is on the boards where Welsford has been the most prodigious though, capturing the rainbow bands after success in the men’s team pursuit at the 2016, 2017 and 2019 track world championships, also winning the scratch race in 2019.
“I’m really happy to be joining Team DSM for 2022,” said Welsford in a team statement. “Team DSM are a team that are known for developing riders to a really high level and I can’t wait to work with all the driven staff and riders.
“Next year will be about learning the ins and out of the WorldTour sprints but hopefully I can learn quickly and help the team to achieve some nice results along the way.”
Looking ahead to his first season with Team DSM, Welsford will switch his focus fully to road racing, continuing the trend within the Australian team pursuit squad to move to the road, the fifth of the Australian Olympians on the track after Georgia Baker, Alex Manly, Kell O’Brien and Luke Plapp to sign WorldTour deals.
Team DSM head of coaching Rudi Kemna commented on how Welsford will fit in with the team, that already includes sprinting talents Cees Bol, Nikias Arndt and Alberto Dainese.
“Sam has spent a lot of time racing on the track and he brings that power and experience with him as he makes the switch to full-time road racing with us,” said Kemna. “Motivated and driven, we think Sam will fit in well with our way of working and we’re looking forward to working closely with him and our team of experts as we aim to help him make the next step and bring him to the next level.
“Combining the disciplines in the past, Sam has built up some really good skills with positioning and tactics and he’ll bring that added value to our sprint group within the team as we aim for more success next season.”
