Both riders will be joining from Cervelo TestTeam and bring with them great talent and vast experience.

"Our two latest signings perfectly represent the mix of youth and experience which we are bringing to the team," Team Sky principal Dave Brailsford commented.

"Davide is a great talent and has already shown fantastic promise over the past two years with several race wins."

"Jeremy on the other hand, brings a wealth of experience with him which the younger riders will be able to benefit greatly from. His achievements speak for themselves and he is a well-respected rider within the peloton," Brailsford concluded.

The captures of Appollonio and Hunt follow Team Sky's recent signings of Rigoberto Urán, Xabier Zandio and Alex Dowsett.

Background info on Team Sky's two latest signings:

Jeremy Hunt, England:

Jeremy Hunt (Team Sky). Photo copyright Tim de Waele

Now in his 37th year, Hunt is joining Team Sky after 15 seasons as an elite pro cyclist. He began his career working for five-time Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain at Banesto and enjoyed further spells at Big Mat, MBK, Cycle Collstrop and Crédit Agricole before joining Cervélo TestTeam in 2009.

Along the way he scooped two British road race titles in 1997 and 2001, sealed hard-fought triumphs at the 2002 GP Ouest-France and 2007 Grand Prix d'Ouverture La Marseillaise, and to date has a further 12 victories to his name.

Although predominantly a sprinter, Hunt is an equally adept one-day Classics rider and his unrelenting work-rate has seen him compete in Grand Tours four times.

Davide Appollonio, Italy:

Davide Appollonio (Team Sky). Photo copyright Tim de Waele

At just 21 years of age, Appollonio is one of Italian cycling's brightest young talents and has enjoyed a fantastic first season in the professional ranks.

He outlined his credentials as a strong sprinter by finishing in fifth place at the Clasica de Almeria and achieved his first professional triumph by jumping clear of the bunch on the final stage of the Tour du Limousin.

That fine form continued into the GP de Fourmies, where he was narrowly pipped to victory by Roman Feillu, and Appollonio immediately followed that up with another second-placed sprint finish at the Tour de Vendée.