Team Wiggins to launch in Spring, founder Sir Bradley Wiggins to attempt Hour Record

“If I can do it, then so can you.” That’s the message from Sir Bradley Wiggins with official confirmation of his Team Wiggins project today, which aims to compete in some of Britain’s biggest bike races as well as helping its eponymous founder and other riders prepare for the Rio 2016 OIympics. He also plans to attempt the Hour record this year.

Wiggins, who will be aiming for a fifth Olympic gold medal at Rio next year, will leave Team Sky at the end of April to join his new outfit, with confirmation earlier this week that his existing contract had been extended by four months as he targets Paris-Roubaix.

The 34-year-old said: "Cycling has given me everything. Now I want to build something to inspire kids and to reach all those people who might be on the fringes of the sport. My message is simple: If I can do it, then so can you."

Besides Wiggins, the line-up features Steven Burke, Mark Christian, Jonathan Dibben, Owain Doull, Iain Paton, Dan Patten and Andy Tennant, and it looks highly likely that it will provide the four members of the team pursuit squad that will try and retain Team GB’s Olympic crown in Brazil.

The racing calendar will be revealed in the spring, but with the team having secured UCI Continental status, it is likely to target top domestic races such as the Tour of Britain and the new Tour de Yorkshire.

Team Sky principal Sir Dave Brailsford said: "Bradley has written one of the greatest stories in British sport over the last 10 years. He’s been a true champion and an inspiration to millions.

“We’ve shared a lot together and it has been a personal privilege for me to have worked so closely with him both on the track and on the road.

"His exciting new project, Wiggins, will undoubtedly have a lot to offer cycling in the UK on the road to Rio 2016 and beyond.

“It’s a really positive move for the sport and further evidence – if any were needed – that cycling is continuing to go from strength to strength in the UK."

The team is sponsored by Sky, although the broadcaster’s name cannot appear in the name. It is also supported by British Cycling chief executive Ian Drake, who said the rider had "helped to inspire a new generation of British cyclists."

He added: "Sir Bradley won his first Olympic medal in Sydney in 2000 and it's impressive to see him still breaking new ground now, 15 years later with his Wiggins team."

Regarding his attempt on the Hour record – the date and venue are yet to be confirmed, although Mallorca is thought to be one potential location – Wiggins said: "I’ve dreamt about the hour record since I was a boy.

“Anyone can have a crack at and measure themselves against the best in the world. We’ve seen cycling grow in popularity over the last few years and I want Wiggins to inspire a new generation of cyclists."

The record attempt will be televised live in the UK and confirmation that Wiggins will aim for it arrives as Jack Bobridge, Rohan Dennis and Alex Dowsett all taking a shot at the record in the coming few weeks.