Team Sky Update

see, it should happen! Think of the entertainment, fun for all the family. However, its always painful trying to watch the cyclists run.

I just had a flashback to kevin keegan and the gravel rash

I like the idea of a 'Cycling Factor' show. I combination of superstars and krypton factor!

I think they're safe on that score neilwheel, as far as I understand it the team is wholly owned and funded by Sky. Dave Brailsford works for both Sky and BC, but everyone else will be employed by Sky

Its just occurred to me that if any part of this project whatsoever is funded by Lottery money (i.e. the BC, Brailsford, etc.) then the average Daily Mail reader will go all jumpy up and down and purple in the face over 'Jonny Foreigner' coming over here and taking all our jobs on Lottery money.

'Where's Reg Harris, Mr. Bean, that kid in the Hovis advert, that lovely Myleene Klass, etc.' will be the likely screeches from the Mail's editorial dept when they see names like Boasson-Hagen, Cornu and Nibali being bandied about. You can just imagine the petitioners lining up outside 10 Downing St, fuming from their colostomy bags about 'those damn French taking over 'our' bike teams', etc.

Perhaps the best solution would be a 'Britain's Got Talent'- type TV show to pick the team, with Sharon Osbourne checking biological passports, and Louis Walsh looking down shorts.

Yeah but seemed to me Jimmy it was Frank doing most of the 'looking out' where it counted at the Tour and Andy paying back with stage wins… I think Frank is the ultimate lieutenant prepared to go just that bit further for his brother than a normal team mate would + with a more intuitive understanding of him too.

I've heard that Lance wants Andy Schleck but not Frank, which is proving a sticking point for Andy.

Well, you should know squirrel. So any more nuggets on some big names for Team Sky?

My sources tell me that Gerrans and Serge P will be flying high in a friendly sky next year!

Andy and Frank will ride together but at the shack, really? Lance did himself some favours by appearing more humble that contador this year during the tour but you just know he wants to be team leader and with the schlecks would that happen? Does anyone thing VDV would be willing to be a joint team leader with wiggo, after all wiggo has proved himself and I doubt garmin want to lose that.

If Andy goes to the Shack surely he'll take Frank with him - I doubt he'd be as effective a rider without him

If you follow Wiggins on twitter you will know he has spending a lot of time thinking about 'options'. Read into that what you will. His interview in the Guardian was interesting. Lance must have mentioned to him about joining The Shack because he said he wouldn't because Andy Schleck is going there. Wiggins says he wants to be a team leader. Sky would give him that.

Frank Schleck would be an interesting choice for Sky. He could play team leader for a year or so until Wiggins etc are available. If Andy goes to The Shack he may want to leave Saxo.

I can say with pretty much certainty that Serge P and Haussler - will not be joining Team Sky, Jimmy. Gerrans unlikely, though he could be unhappy there after his non-ride at the Tour

Best stearing clear of young Italian 'sensations' I'd say, Kohl, oops I mean Nibali, had a really good ride at the Tour though didnt he?!

Agree with othello that the team will struggle to achieve Pro Tour status unless they get some pretty big hitters, still all will be revealed in about 3 weeks!

Interesting list Jimmy, but Nibali, Haussler and maybe Boasson Hagen aside this squad looks like it'd be more at home as a Pro Continental outfit than in the Pro Tour.

I think sky will struggle to get in to the tdf, especially with radioshack (with lance they WILL be in the tour), whatever team contador goes to or starts (the links with alonso and santander)...which teams are going to fold, are there others that may get wildcards? Will there be space for sky?

If Nibali is available then Sky need to get him. They need a 'name' to head the team, especially as it will be a struggle to get a TdF entrance next year.

If Wiggins is staying put, then they need a rider who can challenge (not to win but be challenging) for a Grand Tour.