Yates signs for Team Sky

Yates: New Sky director

I have a lot of experience in a winning team and I look forward to helping Team Sky to fulfil its goals. I really believe we can be contenders on all levels in the future and I'm proud to become part of that.

Sean Yates
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Team Sky have brought in experienced sporting director Sean Yates to help bolster their prospects for their professional debut next season.

The 49-year-old Englishman has been sporting director with Astana since 2008, and he was part of the team that Alberto Contador rode for when winning this year's Tour de France, alongside Lance Armstrong.

Yates also worked for Armstrong's former team Discovery Channel and he joins Scott Sunderland, Steven De Jongh and Marcus Ljungqvist as Team Sky's other sporting directors.

"Sean brings a wealth of experience and we've been very keen for a long time to bring him on board," Team boss Dave Brailsford said on British Cycling website.

"He's well known as a hard-working sports director with a deep understanding of the sport and good connection to his riders and staff. He will be a true asset to our management team and a great colleague for the other Sports Directors we have signed."

Pro career

During his 14-year professional riding career Yates was a team-mate of Armstrong and Robert Millar and Lance, and he took part in the Tour de France 12 times and wore the yellow jersey in 1994.

"I'm extremely excited to join Team Sky," Yates said. "Obviously for me, to be part of a British team at the highest level is something truly special.

"I have a lot of experience in a winning team and I look forward to helping Team Sky to fulfil its goals. The scope and the ambition of the project is unique and I think we have put together a great team.

"I really believe we can be contenders on all levels in the future and I'm proud to become part of that."

Team Sky have 24 riders signed up and there should be one more to follow before they launch at the 2010 Tour Down Under in January.

Bradley Wiggins has long been linked with the team but is under contract for 2010 with Garmin-Slipstream and appears likely to stay with the American squad.