Sky Cycling Team

Same with cycling, yes it's good that it encourages more interest, but I remember the times when Brit riders hardly figured in the TDF, yes we looked out keenly for their exploits, but really we watched it for the thrill of Cipo, Il Pirata , Abdou, Merckx...the list goes on.

'We' being proper cycling fans, no?

The idea is, of course, to generate more cycling fans, but I suppose to achieve this you need stars like that again.

Armstrong and Cavendish are stars at the moment, but who else? Contador is boring and questionable, Wiggo may be becoming one but I don't think is just yet (he only has three Olympic gold medals, it's just not enough), Boonen seems to have lost it a bit, etc. There are quite a few minor stars, but not ones likely to attract the general public with no interest in cycling.