Henderson and Australia's Chris Sutton crossed the line first and second in a sprint finish to the Cancer Council Helpline Classic in South Australia as the British-run road team made a dream start.

They had reeled in seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, who had broken away with fellow Tour de France winner Oscar Pereiro, with three laps remaining.

Henderson (pictured) said: "It's fantastic.

"To get a victory in our very first race together is incredible - it's unheard of.

"We'd talked about it beforehand - the best way for Team Sky to start would be by winning the race and to achieve that is unbelievable.

"It was just like we'd practised in training and when the boys lit it up it was just so fast.

"We were joking about winning today and putting ourselves out there on the map for the new sponsor.

"It does not get any better than that.

"They are an unbelievable team, I don't think I have ever been on a lead out that was as fast as that.

"In the end my job was pretty easy, I just followed Chris Sutton and the rest of the fellas.

"Wow what a feeling."

A seven-strong squad, including the Britons Chris Froome, Russell Downing and Ben Swift, take to the 500 mile Tour Down Under start line for the six-day stage race, which begins on Tuesday.


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