Bradley Wiggins yesterday announced his launch for a new professional cycling team this year as he prepares for the team pursuit at the 2016 Olympic Games.

Wiggins, who would become the most decorated British athlete in Olympic history if he manages to clinch an eighth medal in Rio de Janeiro next year, is keen to give something back to the sport and wants to use his success to encourage a healthy cycling culture in Britain.

“Cycling has given me everything,” he said. “Now I want to build something to inspire kids and to reach all those people who might be on the fringes of the sport. My message is simple: If I can do it, then so can you.”

The new team — named “Wiggins” — will be sponsored by the 34-year-old’s long-time supporter Sky and is fully endorsed by UK governing body British Cycling.

It will feature a dynamic stable of young British talent including Andy Tennant, Owain Doull, Mark Christian, Jon Dibben, Steven Burke, Daniel Patten, Mike Thompson and Iain Paton.

Details for the team’s bike and resource suppliers, colours, logo and team jersey will be unveiled in spring, along with the team’s calendar of UK track and road events — including Wiggins’s live televised attempt on the prestigious “Hour Record” in the summer.

“I’ve dreamt about the Hour Record since I was a boy,” the four-time Olympic gold medallist and 2012 Tour de France winner said.

“Anyone can have a crack at it and measure themselves against the best in the world. We’ve seen cycling grow in popularity over the last few years and I want ‘Wiggins’ to inspire a new generation of cyclists.”

The move to create a new British team has been welcomed by leading lights including Britain’s most decorated female Olympian Victoria Pendleton.

“It’s great to see how cycling is gaining popularity in this country and Brad’s new team is bound to help attract more people to our sport,” she said.

“I think everyone will be behind Brad as he prepares for Rio 2016 and I want to wish him the best of luck with ‘Wiggins’.”

British Cycling’s membership has more than doubled since Wiggins’s 2012 Tour de France triumph, with more than two million people now cycling at least once a week in England.

“Bradley’s performances on track and road have helped to inspire a new generation of British cyclists,” British Cycling chief executive Ian Drake said.