ONE Pro Cycling team have applied for a UCI Pro-Continental licence as the next step towards competing in Grand Tours. General manager Matt Prior, a former England cricketer, want to create the first Pro-Continental team as Team Sky moved immediately to World Tour level, the top tier, when founded in 2009.

"This announcement is hopefully another small step towards our long-term ambition to participate in the biggest races in the world, including the Tour de France."

Prior added: "After a successful and hugely enjoyable first season we feel now is the right time to start the process to attain UCI Pro-Continental status. The last five months has been about establishing the team at Continental level and putting in place a sustainable commercial strategy. Having achieved this we feel we have the correct structure in place to take the step up to the next level."