The team will make its tour debut in the 2010 tour not the one which starts on Saturday in Monaco.
"Look back at what we've done in terms of Olympic and Paralympic success and set the Tour team in the same context," Great Britain cycling chief executive Ian Drake told BBC Sport. "With Dave Brailsford leading the team and with Sky's vision and support it's got every chance of success."
Drake has refused to give out any hints as to which British riders would make that team. Garmin Slipstream's David Millar and Bradley Wiggins are doing the rumour rounds as possible targets.
"We've got any number of British riders coming through but it's just too early to talk about who will make up the team," Drake added.
Bradley Wiggins