What to expect this year

Sky were pipped to the world team ranking last year in the final race of the season – the Tour of Beijing – and whether they admit it or not it will have hurt. The loss of Matt Hayman and Rigoberto Uran sees two of their strongest climbing domestiques depart but Mikel Nieve is a more than adequate replacement and with Pete Kennaugh coming of age in 2013 and the likes of Ian Stannard, David Lopez, Bernhard Eisel and Geraint Thomas among the strongest support riders on the circuit, Sky will be after big success again this year.

Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome also insist any rift between the pair is over, and it raises the tantalising prospect of a Tour de France squad including all three of Wiggins, Froome and Richie Porte. Porte’s chief goal in 2014 is the Giro d’Italia however, as he leads the team in a Grand Tour for the first time, before returning to super domestique duties in France. If Wiggins and Froome work together, and Porte has the legs after the Giro, Sky could be heading for a third consecutive Tour de France victory – and few would bet against it.

Who’s new for 2014?

Philip Deignan (IRE) from UnitedHealthCare, Mikel Nieve (ESP) from Euskaltel-Euskadi, Sebastian Henao (COL) from Colombia, Nathan Earle (AUS) from Huon Salmon Genesys Wealth Advisers-Praties

Who has left?

Matt Hayman (AUS) to Orica-GreenEDGE, Rigoberto Uran (COL) to Omega Pharma-Quickstep

Riders to watch

Chris Froome – His Tour de France victory last year capped a sensational season and he will be out to replicate his dominance in 2014.
Richie Porte – The Giro is his big chance for individual Grand Tour success. Paris-Nice victory shows he can lead, but faces stiff competition for the maglia rosa
Sir Bradley Wiggins – The 2012 Tour de France champion needs to rediscover his mojo this season, and if he does he will undoubtedly have a huge role to play.

Brits on board

Chris Froome – A sensational 2013 season saw him firmly established as Team Sky’s number one, and while chief lieutenant will not be as frequently at his side this year, he is more than capable of another stunning season.
Sir Bradley Wiggins – Sir Brad will be keen to forget his 2013 season, but he ended it in style at the Tour of Britain before securing a World Championship silver medal. If he rediscovers his mojo, he will no doubt also recapture his place among the British public’s hearts.
Ian Stannard – The former British champion proved a vital member of Chris Froome’s support squad before helping Sir Bradley Wiggins to Tour of Britain victory. His role is likely to be unchanged but he showed at Milan-San Remo he is capable of pursuing individual success too.
Josh Edmondson – Showed in his debut season last year he does not look out of place on the WorldTour scene and, aged just 21, another year gathering experience alongside some of the world’s best riders will do him no harm.
Ben Swift – Injury made for a disappointing 2013 for the Yorkshire sprinter, but a summer of recovery means he is raring to go and keen to prove his worth ahead of a Grand Depart in his home county.
Luke Rowe – The Welshman enjoyed a Grand Tour debut last season, but he told RCUK the cobbles is where his heart really lies and he will be keen to get another chance to tackle them this spring ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
Pete Kennaugh – Tipped by performance manager Rod Ellingworth to be a future World Champion, the Olympic team pursuit gold medallist has switched to the road in style and has another big year ahead.
Geraint Thomas – Thomas believes he is approaching the stage in his career where he needs to home in on future targets, but his versatility means the Welsh hardman is likely to play a part in both the one-day and stage races again this season.