Bissell rider Ted King appears poised to be riding alongside Tour de France champion Carlos Sastre on the new Cervelo TestTeam next year.

King, 25, had a breakthrough season in 2008, finishing second overall in the NRC individual rankings. Wins included the Hanes Park Classic, and a stage of the Joe Martin Stage Race. He also finished third overall at the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic, and wore the KOM jersey for one stage at the Tour de Georgia.

King was not listed on the Bissell’s 2009 roster, released earlier this week, and has been spotted riding a 2008 Cervélo P3C time trial bike in his adopted hometown of Boulder, Colorado.

Because Cervélo has not yet made a formal roster announcement, King could not definitively answer the question of his 2009 employer.

“I can say I am making the jump to Europe,” King said. “I’ve talked about it with the Bissell team owners, and they are quite supportive.”

Cervélo co-founder Gerard Vroomen would not confirm King’s signing, saying, “I’m not completely up to speed on every rider that has been signed, so I couldn’t possibly tell you. But I do know that Ted King is a good rider.”

So far, confirmed signings include Sastre, Thor Hushovd, Hayden Roulston, Inigio Cuesta, Simon Gerrans and Dominique Rollin.

On Monday Cervélo announced it had signed British riders Roger Hammond and Dan Fleeman, as well as Australian Brett Lancaster.

Vroomen said he expected the team to announce its full 2009 roster in the coming weeks.

Look for an expanded interview with Cervélo co-founder Gerard Vroomen on the 2009 squad next week.