The final list of teams for the 2014 Friends Life Tour of Britain has today (Wednesday 13th August) been confirmed, revealing the 20 squads who will be racing for the Friends Life Yellow Jersey this September.
Leading the way are ten teams who raced in last month's Tour de France, including Team Sky, who won the 2013 Tour of Britain with Sir Bradley Wiggins, and who, according to his team, is in contention to defend his title this September.
Joining them will be a further seven UCI Pro Teams from the sport's top level, including the team currently ranked number one in the world, Movistar Team. In total six of the world's top 10 teams will participate, with four of the top five ranked squads competing.
"Every year we get a very positive response from teams wishing to ride the Friends Life Tour of Britain and this year that has been even more so the case”, said Race Director Mick Bennett.
"Not only do we have a very strong line-up of teams, half of whom raced in the Tour de France, we are confident that they will be bringing their best possible squads, meaning fans can look forward to seeing the world's top riders, some exciting racing and maybe a few surprises this September.”
The Friends Life Tour of Britain gets underway in Liverpool on Sunday 7 September, finishing eight days later in central London, with 120 riders taking the start in the opening city centre stage at 14:15. All eight days will feature both live coverage and highlights on ITV and British Eurosport.
Domestically, the Great Britain national team are joined by the UK's five UCI Continental squads, led by Pearl Izumi Tour Series Champions Rapha Condor JLT, and debutants NFTO Pro Cycling, who won the 1.HC ranked RideLondon single-day event last weekend with Adam Blythe, and who currently lead British Cycling's Elite Road Series team classification.
Two further teams will be making their debuts in Britain's biggest free to spectate live annual sporting event – UCI Pro Team BMC Racing and UCI Pro Continental squad Team Novo Nordisk, a global all diabetes professional cycling team.
The complete list of teams that will be competing in the 2014 Friends Life Tour of Britain is as follows:
UCI Pro Teams
• Belkin Pro Cycling (NED)
• BMC Racing Team (USA)
• Garmin Sharp (USA)
• Movistar Team (SPA)
• Omega Pharma Quick-Step (BEL)
• Team Giant Shimano (NED)
• Team Sky (GBR)
• Tinkoff Saxo (RUS)
UCI Pro Continental Teams
• Bardiani CSF (ITA)
• IAM Cycling (SWI)
• MTN Qhubeka (RSA)
• Team NetApp Endura (Ger)
• Team Novo Nordisk (USA)
UCI Continental Teams
• AN Post Chain Reacton (IRL)
• Madison Genesis (GBR)
• NFTO Pro Cycling (GBR)
• Giordana Racing Team (GBR)
• Rapha Condor JLT (GBR)
• Team Raleigh (GBR)
National Teams
• Great Britain (GBR)