cycling

Edwards, who set the triple jump world record in 1995 with a distance of 18.29 metres, says “it doesn’t seem right or fair” that his astonishing feat should be erased from the record books.

Away from athletics, Edwards has been preparing for his next major career move, as he takes on hosting duties for Eurosport’s live cycling coverage, part of the broadcaster’s exclusive deal for him to be its lead presenter for flagship sports programming.

Edwards has worked as both a presenter and analyst at the past four Olympic Games. He joins the cycling presenting team after being appointed Eurosport's lead presenter for flagship sports programming.

“Cycling is a huge passion of mine, both as a fan and a committed rider whenever I get the opportunity, so I’m incredibly excited to join Eurosport’s cycling team for the first two prestigious Grand Tours of the season. It’s another exciting chapter in my journey with the Eurosport team and the first stage in Sardinia can’t come too soon,” said Edwards.

The Tour De France winner and eight-time Olympic medallist will join a raft of famous faces taking part in the fourth series of the perilous winter sport contest, held in Austria.

This year’s competition could be the toughest yet, as a large number of sports personalities are due to take to the slopes.

They include former England Rugby Captain Jason Robinson OBE, former England footballer Robbie Fowler, Olympic medallists Louis Smith and Jade Jones and Paralympic medallist Kadeena Cox.

Footage of the Sky Team was shot over a training day in Monaco and during the Tour of Romandie in Switzerland, two major preparations before the French competition in July.

The interactive video was released yesterday on Facebook. Three minutes in length, the film features 360º views of the team training on static bikes as well as interviews, and footage of the stage race in Switzerland.

Over-the-top hyperbole is usually de rigueur when it comes to unveiling big TV sports-rights deals. But, this summer, when Discovery Chief Executive David Zaslav declared his company’s €1.3bn, pan-European deal with the International Olympic Committee a “game changer”, it seemed more like an understatement.

The contract, which runs from 2018, caused many people’s jaws to drop – while others scratched their heads over its implications. It seemed like another blow to the BBC and its grip on the world’s greatest festival of sport.