Shane Sutton believes Bradley Wiggins' new team will boost Olympic hopes

Sir Bradley Wiggins' development team, WIGGINS, will strengthen Britain's medal hopes at Rio 2016, according to British Cycling technical director Shane Sutton

Shane Sutton, Track World Cup, Glasgow 2012, day one

British Cycling technical director Shane Sutton says Sir Bradley Wiggins’ new team will strengthen Team GB’s medal hopes at Rio 2016.

Wiggins finally announced his eponymous team, WIGGINS, earlier today, although details were exclusively released by Cycling Weekly before Christmas.

With riders such as Owain Doull, Andy Tennant and Steven Burke in the squad, Sutton hopes WIGGINS will boost British hopes in the Team Pursuit in Rio.

“It’s fantastic news and gives us a great opportunity with our team pursuit squad moving forward to Rio with Brad,” he told Sky Sports News.

“It’s a great partnership with Sky and this team allows the young riders of British Cycling to step up and ride alongside a Tour winner like Bradley, which can only be a massive inspiration to everybody within our programme.

“There are a lot of building blocks to go through, but inspiration is a major part of it and Brad does inspire the young guys in this programme.”

Wiggins will join the team when his contract with Team Sky expires at the end of April, although CW understand he will not be able to officially transfer under UCI rules until June.

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.