Team Sky have unveiled three-time world time trial champion Michael Rogers as their sixth signing for the 2011 season.
Rogers, a veteran of nine Grand Tours, joins the British pro outfit after five seasons at HTC-Columbia.
The Australian, who turned pro with Mapei in 2000, has enjoyed a stellar year, winning both the Tour of California and the Vuelta a Andalucia.
Rogers joins Davide Appollonio, Alex Dowsett, Jeremy Hunt, Rigoberto Urán and Xabier Zandio in making the switch to Team Sky and is the fourth Australian on the roster.
And the 30-year-old believes he can play a central role in guiding the team during their second year on the ProTour.
“I like the direction and general outlook of the team and am delighted to be here,” said Rogers. “Having ridden against them this year it was clear to see the team were learning and improving all the time and I expect that to continue next season.
“I already know a lot of guys in the squad so I’m expecting to settle in pretty quickly and am really looking forward to it.
“I’ve been lucky enough to ride with some great riders in the past and have learned a lot from them. If they want me to, I am more than happy to pass some of that experience along and I will do whatever I can to help the team’s progression.
“In terms of racing, week-long stage races are going to be my main priority at the start of the year but that’s not to say I won’t be riding Grand Tours anymore.
“I’m in the peak years of my career and I’d like to think if things go well I could still have something to offer in those races as well. We’ll just have to see.”
Directeur sportif Sean Yates added: “Michael is a consummate professional and great addition to the team. He has proven himself in big races right throughout his career and that experience will be an invaluable asset to us.
“He takes his job as a bike rider seriously and the younger guys in the team will be able to learn a lot from him.
“He still has a lot of racing in him and is ambitious about what the future holds. I’m expecting him to spearhead a lot of our attacks and am sure he can help us gain some great results.”
