Team Sky have announced the signings of Davide Appollonio and Jeremy Hunt for the 2011 season.
Appollonio and Hunt join for 2011
Team Sky have announced the signings of Davide Appollonio and Jeremy Hunt for the 2011 season.
Both riders will be joining from Cervélo TestTeam and bring with them a wealth of varying talents.
Team Principal Dave Brailsford said: "Our two latest signings perfectly represent the mix of youth and experience which we are bringing to the team.
"Davide is a great talent and has already shown fantastic promise over the past two years with several race wins.
"Jeremy on the other hand, brings a wealth of experience with him which the younger riders will be able to benefit greatly from.
"His achievements speak for themselves and he is a well-respected rider within the peloton."
The captures of Appollonio and Hunt follow the signings of Rigoberto Urán, Xabier Zandio and Alex Dowsett at the end of September.
Background on Team Sky's two latest signings:
Davide Appollonio, Italy: At just 21 years of age, Appollonio is one of Italian cycling's brightest young talents and has enjoyed a fantastic first full year among the professional ranks.
He outlined his credentials as a strong sprinter by finishing in fifth place at the Clasica de Almeria and achieved his first professional triumph by jumping clear of the bunch on the final stage of the Tour du Limousin.
That fine form continued into the GP de Fourmies, where he was narrowly pipped to victory by Roman Feillu, and Appollonio immediately followed that up with another second-placed sprint finish at the Tour de Vendée.
Jeremy Hunt, England: Now in his 37th year, Hunt is joining Team Sky after 15 seasons as an elite professional. He began his career working for five-time Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain at Banesto and enjoyed further spells at Big Mat, MBK, Cycle Collstrop (formerly Unibet) and Crédit Agricole before joining up with Cervélo TestTeam in 2009.
Along the way he scooped two British road race titles in 1997 and 2001, sealed hard-fought triumphs at the 2002 GP Ouest-France and 2007 Grand Prix d'Ouverture La Marseillaise, and to date has a further 12 victories to his name.
Although predominantly a sprinter, Hunt is an equally adept one-day Classics rider and his unrelenting work-rate has seen him compete in four Grand Tours.
