According to the Team Sky official website, Dario Cioni was appointed directeur sportif at the British team. Even though there was no official announcement from the team management, an updated information suggests that Italian has been handed a new role after being a rider, then business manager and on-race press-officer, to finally become promoted to a sports director.

“I love being part of this team, especially given the huge progress we’ve made in the last four years both on and off the bike. It is nice to have been able to contribute to that in various different areas,” Cioni said, according to teamsky.com.

“I’m really excited to work as a Sports Director as well this year because it means I can combine the tactical experience I learned as a rider with the organisational skills needed to ensure everything runs smoothly off the bike as well.”

The promotion of Cioni, as well as acquiring Dan Frost from Team Tinkoff-Saxo this winter is a part of the bigger transformation the Sky Procycling is currently undergoing, including the departures of Dan Hunt, Marcus Ljungqvist, Sean Yates, Bobby Julich and Steven de Jongh, as well as Shane Sutton stepping down to the consultancy role.

Before joining Sky Procycling as a professional rider in 2010, Cioni rode for Mapei, Fassa Bortolo, Liquigas, Silence-Lotto and ISD Cycling Team, with 4th place at the 2004 Giro d’Italia admittedly being the greatest achievement of his career.

Being a holder of a degree in business studies with a specialization in sports management, Cioni had already played a significant role in Sky's preparations for last year's Giro d'Italia, when he was charged with scouting the team time trial course in Ischia and he also accompanied coach Tim Kerrison in supervising Bradley Wiggins's reconnaissance in the Dolomites.