The Linda McCartney Pro Cycling Team are delighted to announce that Australia's top vineyard Jacob's Creek will become a major sponsor of the team in 2001. The team will race under the banner of Linda McCartney - Jacob's Creek across the world from January.

"It's fantastic news for both the team and the sport," said team manager Sean Yates.

Jacob's Creek are one of the world's largest wine producers and the pride of Australia's vine-growing community. They were the first company to establish themselves and 'new world' wines in the European heartlands.

Jacob's Creek have played a significant role in Australian cycling, sponsoring the country's flagship race The Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under since it's inception in 1999. It is fitting therefore that the new team will make it's debut in that race in January.

"The Tour Down Under has been a great way to get involved in cycling in Australia," explained Jacob's Creek's Nick Blair, "but with Linda McCartney we can increase our European presence. It's a very exciting team to be involved with."

Linda McCartney general manager Julian Clark said: 'I'm naturally delighted to have such a high profile company as Jacob's Creek alongside us. It shows we have made great progress over the past three years. Now with Jacob's Creek we have the added backing to continue our momentum as we strive to establish ourselves as not only the best British cycling team ever, but the best in the world.

"The guys will have to remember, though, while we have a wine company as sponsor it does not mean free samples each night… we'll reserve a tipple of 'Australia's Top Drop' for our victory celebrations."

The team will have a distinctively Australian flavour in 2001. With Jacob's Creek on board, Sean Yates will be joined on the management team by Aussie cycling legend Neil Stephens. Tour of Italy stage winner and McCartney favourite David McKenzie returns for his third year with the squad, and will be joined by fellow Australians Marcel Gono and Pete Rogers.

"Marcel and Pete will bring a new dimension to the team," said Sean Yates. "They are both strong men and devoted team workers; key attributes for anybody that wants to be in this team."