Bradley Wiggins moves to Sky!

After much speculation, it has been announced in the last few days that Bradley Wiggins has made the move from team Garmin-Sliptream to Sky.

The Guardian Newspaper suggested that "Bradley Wiggins' transfer to Team Sky the worst-kept secret of the autumn." I wasn't so sure...

Given the success and freedom that Brad had in the 2009 Tour with Garmin-Sliptream I really expected him to spend at least one more season there. The team worked well for him and he openly said that he felt very comfortable and had a good relationship with the directors and other riders.

I'm currently reading Brad's autobiography and it really becomes apparent that he is very loyal to British track cycling. He came up through the ranks as a junior and had a lot of lottery money invested in him. The way he talks about the back-room staff and other riders make it sound like a very good place to be riding for him. Given a lot of the British Cycling staff will be working at Team Sky, maybe its not too hard to see why Brad chose to move.

Brad has described team Sky as "the biggest pro cycling team in the last 5 years" (Astana 09' anybody?) and believes that this is his best chance of getting on the podium, or even winning the Tour.

I dont know much about the riders that are already at Sky, but from what i've heard, they are very strong and will be able to provide him with a lot of support.

Hearing Brad talk so highly of Sky really gives the impression that he is going to feel very comfortable there, thus making a podium spot on the Tour this year even better.

Brad was making me scream at the TV when he was going up Ventoux with the likes of Lance, Contador and the Schleks last year, so lets hope he's right back up there with the best in '10.

Best of luck WIGGO!

Read about the move:
Guardian
Times
BBC - also contains a 5 min interview about the move.