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The team is sponsored by media giant Sky, which owns television networks in Britain, Italy, Germany and Australia. Other key sponsors are Italian bike manufacturer Pinarello and sports clothing company Adidas.

The 26-rider team was carefully built by team General Manager David Brailsford and Team Manager Scott Sunderland. Eight of the riders are from Britain, with others from Norway, Australia, Italy, Canada, France, Spain and Belgium. It is a team with a perfect balance of talent and experience.

The team’s biggest signing is Britain’s Bradley Wiggins. The triple Olympic track gold medallist was the revelation of the Tour de France in 2009 and it will be fascinating to see what he can achieve in stage races in 2010.

Norway’s Edvald Boasson Hagen is another huge talent. He finished sixth in the UCI World Ranking in 2009, winning eight UCI World Calendar races and six Continental races. He will likely lead de Sky Professional Cycling Team in the spring cobbled classics and one-day races with strong support from Spain’s Juan Antonio Flecha, compatriot Kurt-Asle Arvesen, Serge Pauwels of Belgium and Brits Ian Stannard and Geraint Thomas.

Australia’s Simon Gerrans is another stand-out rider in the de Sky Professional Cycling Team line-up, as are stage race riders Thomas Lovkvist of Finland, Dario Cioni of Italy, Britain’s Steve Cummings and New Zealand sprinter Greg Henderson.

“We’ve created the team. Now we have got to perform and get results. This squad hasn’t just happened by accident, all those involved are handpicked. We have picked a team in the true sense of the word because it is as a team that you win the Tour de France and other major races”
Brailsford said.