For Lars-Petter Nordhaug Team Sky is a first step into a major team, and a dream realised. The former mountain biker was tempted to swap his knobbly-tyred machine for a road bike mainly because he wanted to be part of a big team, and to work towards a common goal, even if that means sometimes sacrificing his own chances for others.
One of the riders he is likely to find himself working for at Team Sky is his great friend, Edvald Boasson Hagen. The Norwegians both have a background in skiing and mountain biking, and these days they are neighbours and training partners in Oslo. Originally, Nordhaug is from Tønsberg, 100km south of Oslo, and reputedly the oldest town in Norway (it celebrated its 1,100-year anniversary in 1971).
Nordhaug explains: "One reason I switched to road racing is because I like being part of a team. I really enjoy that aspect of the sport. I switched three or four years ago, and at first I found sitting in the peloton new and difficult, but I've been better and better every year."
He still rides his mountain bike for training. "And I still go cross country skiing as soon as the snow comes," he adds. "I think it's one of the best ways to train."
As for his training rides with Boasson Hagen, Nordhaug makes an ominous claim: "We follow the same programme, and I'd be surprised if there are other riders training better and harder than us in the winter..."
Nordhaug's strengths appear to be slightly different to Boasson Hagen's. He likes the hilly Ardennes classics, and short stage races - he won the tough final stage of the 2009 Tour of Ireland, where he placed second overall. "But what's important to me," he says, "is to do good work for the team. My personal goals are for the future; for now, I will be fully dedicated to whatever task I am asked to do.
"It's my first year in a big pro team, and to arrive at this level is so good - I have no words for it. I'm really confident. The atmosphere is good among the riders and staff, and I have a really strong belief that this team will do very well."
