Jeremy Hunt and Davide Apollonio sign for Team Sky

Team Sky has announced its two latest signings, both from Cervélo TestTeam, and they’re two cyclists very much at opposite ends of their career – the 21-year-old Italian, Davide Apollonio, who has just completed his first season as a pro, and Britain’s own Jeremy Hunt, who has 15 years in the pro peloton under his belt.

Hunt in particular will be delighted to have secured a berth in the British ProTour outfit for next season – unlike compatriots Dan Lloyd and Roger Hammond, he wasn’t one of the riders confirmed as moving across to Garmin-Cervélo after the announcement that Cervélo TestTeam would be dissolved at the end of the season just finished, with the Canadian bike brand replacing Felt as Garmin’s frame supplier.

The signings follow three others announced by Team Sky at the end of September – Rigoberto Urán, Xabier Zandio and Alex Dowsett – and 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."

Team Sky describes Apollonio as “one of Italian cycling’s brightest young talents,” highlighting a strong performance in his debut professional season when he claimed fifth place in Clasica de Almeria as well as his maiden pro victory on the last stage of the Tour du Limousin. He subsequently added second-place finishes in both the GP de Fourmies and the Tour de Vendée.

Hunt, aged 36, is a two-time British Road Race Champion, and began his career at Banesto under the great Miguel Indurain. He also rode for Big Mat, MBK, Cycle Collstrop (formerly Unibet) and Crédit Agricole before moving to Cervélo TestTeam in 2009. His victories include the 2002 GP Ouest-France and 2007 Grand Prix d'Ouverture La Marseillaise.