IG Markets link up with Sigma Sport

IG Markets have joined Sigma Sport as joint title sponsor of the leading British team for the next two years.

"We kept it under the radar, but we're super pleased with this. It gives us an opportunity to really build the team and take it to another level," team manager Matt Stephens told Cycling Weekly.

The deal was forged in the last month. IG Markets have thrown their support behind cycling in the last couple of years, notably supporting Team Sky, the London Nocturne and their own ranking system, the IG Pro Cycling Index.

The squad will be known as Team IG-Sigma Sport. The considerable budget increase from the two-year deal will "enable the team to race further afield and help to put riders in better shape for riding on the domestic scene," according to Stephens.

Stephens wants his riders to stay combative. "We'll continue to race the way I'd like the team to, in an aggressive style," he said.

The squad gained publicity and plaudits last season, thanks to the likes of Russell Hampton's Tour of Britain King of the Mountains success, as well as Tom Murray's day-long escape in the Olympic test event.

With IG Markets a significant partner of the Tour of Britain, it could also give the squad an easier ticket into their premier race of the year.

Team IG-Sigma Sport for 2012

Steven Burke

Dan Craven

Simon Gaywood

Andrew Griffiths

Jake Hales

Peter Hawkins

Steve Lampier

Tom Last

Tom Murray

Simon Richardson

Wouter Sybrandy