New pro Dowsett, reigning under-23 European Time Trial champion, joins young Columbian Rigoberto Uran and 33-year-old Spaniard Xabier Zandio and is one of nine Britons in the squad.

Team Sky Principal Dave Brailsford said: "I’m delighted that Alex is joining us.

"He’s a young rider who has come through the British system with flying colours and will fit perfectly into our set-up.

"We know just how talented Alex is and he’s been showing that this year, winning the under-23 individual time trial at the European Championships in Turkey this summer and getting some excellent results for the Trek-Livestrong U-23 squad.

"He’s a real all-rounder with an incredibly bright future and we are looking forward to him developing with us at Team Sky and achieving his full potential.

"Rigoberto is also a super-talented rider who has some great results to his name this year.

"He’s an excellent climber who has already shone in the Grand Tour environment and I’m sure he will continue to go from strength to strength.

"Xabier is a rock-solid climber who brings us real experience.

"He is someone who will give his teammates absolutely everything in the mountains on exactly the sort of stages which decide Grand Tours.

"These three new additions sum up our squad perfectly - a blend of developing talent and Grand Tour experience with a strong British influence at the heart of it."

Dowsett is a former member of the British Olympic Academy development team.

The 21-year old will represent England at the Commonwealth Games after contesting the World Championship under-23 time trial and road race in Melbourne.

He has shone in his debut season with Lance Armstrong’s Trek-Livestrong under-23development team, wearing the leader’s jersey for a day at the Tour de l’Avenir, the 'mini Tour de France’ for under-23 riders.