Brailsford admits butterflies ahead of Team Sky debut

DAVE Brailsford is the man with the golden touch but on the eve of Team Sky's road debut, British Cycling's performance director is venturing into unchartered territory.

READY TO GO: Dave Brailsford admits excitement on the eve of Team Sky's debut on the road at the Tour Down Under (Getty Images)

Not content with creating an all-conquering track cycling squad, Brailsford turned his attentions to the road and set about assembling a team worthy of winning the Tour de France within five years.

No mean feat but Brailsford's track record ensures that when he speaks, people listen.

Brailsford has compiled a squad that combines a strong British influence with the likes of Russell Downing, Steve Cummings, Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas, with up-and-coming riders from around the globe such as Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen and Australia's Chris Sutton.

But Brailsford's major coup was the signing of Bradley Wiggins - a three-time Olympic track cycling gold medallist and fourth in last year's Tour de France.

It was a saga that ran and ran but just a few days before Christmas, Brailsford finally got his man.

While Brailsford was quick to deflect attention from Wiggins at the official team launch earlier this month, Wiggins is without doubt the jewel in the Team Sky crown and all eyes will be flickering his way at the Tour Down Under.

He will be the lynch-pin if Team Sky are to achieve Brailsford's five-year brainchild.

But Brailsford is only too aware that before they can run, Team Sky must prove they can walk and the opportunity to do will present itself in Adelaide next week.

And Brailsford for one is excited.

"When you embark on any new project there's always a period of adaptation," said Brailsford.

"Most of the team bonding work was done at our first camp in Manchester in November. The Valencia training camp was more about good, structured training.

"It takes time - you can't take a group of individuals and, six weeks later, have an elite team.

It took ten years to build the track team, so we're working against a model, and creating an environment of trust, understanding and honesty.

"I'm a worrier and I'm sure that, come Sunday, I'll be thinking we could have done this, or that.

"But it will be a big moment for all of us, and we're looking forward to it. I'm excited."

Pro road cycling is not exactly an institution that welcomes change, so Team Sky's arrival and the reception it receives is sure to prove interesting.

A new team, with enough quality to do much more than make up the numbers, will certainly turn a few heads and a few feathers among the old heads of the peleton are sure to be ruffled.

Brailsford's troops however, will be helped by the fact that Lance Armstrong's Team RadioShack is more likely to hog the headlines Down Under.

But those who show Team Sky a keen eye next week will gain their first insight as to whether the streets of France are set to be paved with gold for the man with the Midas touch.