Michael Rogers has signed a two-year deal with Team Sky. The 30-year-old will join up with the likes of Bradley Wiggins and Edvald Boasson Hagen, and spearhead the team in week-long stages races and the Tour de France.

The 30-year-old from Canberra, a three-time world time trial champion, brings a wealth of stage-racing experience as a veteran of nine Grand Tours.

Sports director Sean Yates is delighted to have Rogers on board and feels he can be a great role model for the younger riders on the team.

He said: “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.

Rogers is excited to begin this new chapter of his career at Team Sky and has no qualms about taking a central role within the squad.

He said: “I like the direction and general outlook of the team and am delighted to be here. 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’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 other news, seasoned Tour de France campaigner Stuart O’Grady has confirmed his departure from Saxo Bank by signing with the Luxembourg Cycling Project being led by Schleck brothers Andy and Frank.

The Schlecks caused a minor upset recently by quitting Saxo Bank, owned and managed by former Tour de France winner Bjarne Riis, and many of their former team-mates have followed suit.

O’Grady, a former winner of the gruelling Paris-Roubaix one-day classic, has also been instrumental in Saxo Bank’s successes on the Tour de France in recent years, displaying leadership qualities in his role as road captain.

Looks like its going to be a potent team.