Team Sky have confirmed their squad for the ninth edition of the Tour of Britain, which commences in Ipswich on Sunday 9 September.

Bradley Wiggins will lead the team and is making his first appearance in Team Sky colours since becoming the first British rider ever to win the Tour de France.

The newly-crowned Olympic time trial gold medallist will be joined by world champion Mark Cavendish, who won two stages in last year’s edition and is aiming to impress once again in front of his home crowd.

Bernhard Eisel is Cavendish’s most-trusted wingman and the Austrian will be working hard to ensure the Manxman is thrust right into the mix during the sprint stages.

Two-time British national road race champion Jeremy Hunt will also be part of that lead-out train, while German Christian Knees and Luke Rowe complete a formidable six-man line-up.

Race director Mick Bennett said: "To have the reigning Tour de France and Olympic time trial champion, and the current world champion competing in The Tour of Britain is a dream for us.

"We are delighted that The Tour of Britain will be the first chance for many British fans to see Bradley Wiggins since his Tour de France and Olympic successes.

"We are also very pleased that Mark Cavendish will do the race again so he can show off the rainbow stripes in front of home fans."