Matteo Tosatto new sporting director of Team Sky

Former pro cyclist Matteo Tosatto has been made sporting director of Team Sky.

The Italian rider, who won stages in the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia, and spent the last six years of his career with the Saxo Bank/Tinkoff team supporting Alberto Contador, retired last year.

He will start his stint with Team Sky at the Tour of Poland, joining existing Sky sports director Gabriel Rasch at the event beginning today.

He said: "Originally I had hoped to continue riding for one more year, but in the end it became clear that this was the time to stop and try something new.

"I was working at the Giro d'Italia for Pinarello and it was there that I was able to speak to Dave Brailsford a few times, and we had some conversations about working together.

"My first experience with the team was at the Route du Sud in June where I was able to spend some time in the car to see how the team operates. Then after that I've spent two weeks at the team's training camp in Livigno with 14 riders.

"That was fantastic and I really look forward to working with young riders and helping them to develop. I hope with my experience I can help them to reach their objectives."