Bradley Wiggins launches his own cycling team

The former Tour de France winner and four-time Olympic champion will continue to ride with Team Sky until April, before focusing on his new creation, Team Wiggins.

The team will operate independently to British Cycling, but will give the chance to young British talent such as Andy Tennant, Owain Doull and Mark Christian to gain experience before the Olympics in Rio next year.

"Cycling has given me everything," said Wiggins.

"I want to build something to inspire kids and to reach all those people who might be on the fringes of the sport.

"My message is simple: If I can do it, then so can you."

Ian Drake, chief executive of British Cycling, said that Wiggins has "helped to inspire a new generation of British cyclists".

He added: "Sir Bradley won his first Olympic medal in Sydney in 2000 and it's impressive to see him still breaking new ground now, 15 years later with his Wiggins team."