Team Sky principal Dave Brailsford has said that the squad is ‘talking about’ the possibility of forming a women’s team to run alongside the men’s WorldTour outfit.

Brailsford’s comments were made to the BBC after the inaugural running of La Course by Le Tour de France women’s event as part of the final day of the Tour de France in Paris.

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“We’ve got some brilliant female cyclists,” Brailsford told the BBC. “We all are very aware that there needs to be a greater parity, not just in road cycling but across all disciplines, both at Olympic and professional level.”

Women’s professional cycling is currently enjoying a rapid ascension, with extended broadcasting of women’s events on television bringing with it the media coverage that draws in sponsorship. The first edition of the Women’s Tour in Britain earlier this year is a prime example, with live coverage on terrestrial television and large crowds of spectators in attendance throughout the event.

Currently, Britain is home to the Wiggle-Honda women’s team, which includes British riders Laura Trott, Joanna Rowsell, Dani King, Amy Roberts and Elinor Barker and is supported by Sky rider Bradley Wiggins’ foundation.

In October last year, British Cycling reported that over 100,000 women had taken part in cycling events during 2013.