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Team Sky announce Tour de France line-up

Geraint Thomas returns from injury and will be among riders supporting Chris Froome as he seeks fourth overall win

Team Sky have announced their line-up for the 104th edition of the Tour de France which starts in Dusseldorf a week on Saturday.

As usual, its a team built to support Chris Froome's overall challenge as he seeks a fourth yellow jersey in five years, and includes Geraint Thomas, fit again after injury cut short his participation in last month's Giro d'Italia.

They will be joined by Paris-Nice winner Sergio Henao, Vasil Kiryienka, Christian Knees, Michal Kwiatkowski, Mikel Landa, Mikel Nieve and Luke Rowe.

“The Tour de France is a special race and it would just be incredible to win it for a fourth time," said Froome. "Aiming for that fourth victory has given me a lot of motivation.

“To me, each Tour tells a different story. Every Tour is a different battle in terms of getting that Yellow Jersey and then trying to hold on to it.

"We’re ready as a team and I can’t wait for the Tour to start now. Honestly, I just love it. It’s a feeling that you don’t get from any other race.”

Team Principal, Sir Dave Brailsford, added: “We’re really looking forward to the Tour.  Chris is in good shape and he’s ready for it.

“To win the Tour once is a huge achievement, but to win it a fourth time would be remarkable.

"We’ve selected a strong and experienced lineup who will support him, and we’ll be looking to use the strength of the team to our advantage.”

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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7 comments

Avatar
700c | 6 years ago
1 like

A devistatingly effective team to control the race and bore us all to tears.

Avatar
Al__S | 6 years ago
1 like

I know they're not after stage wins, but I'm a bit surprised Kennaugh's Dauphine performance didn't get him a Tour space

Avatar
Stumps replied to Al__S | 6 years ago
0 likes

Al__S wrote:

I know they're not after stage wins, but I'm a bit surprised Kennaugh's Dauphine performance didn't get him a Tour space

 

I agree, Kennaugh for Knees. I thought they would leave Landa out and let him go for the Vuelta.

Avatar
Jackson | 6 years ago
0 likes

Yeah Poels was injured. Still, with the team they've got left, plus leaving out Viviani, it'll still be embarrassing if they don't win.
Bit trusting of them to take Landa who's out the door next year to Movistar and has said he doesn't want to be there. Can we see him chasing down an attack from Nairo?
Still want Porte to win but predicting business as usual, i.e. Tour to be a snoozefest compared to the Vuelta and Giro.

Avatar
bobbinogs | 6 years ago
3 likes

I think he's been battling back from injury though.  Thing with Sky, it is about who to leave out!

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jimbudd | 6 years ago
5 likes

No Wout Poels?!? Can't help but feel that's a mistake, he was colossal for Froome on last year's tour

Avatar
minnellium replied to jimbudd | 6 years ago
0 likes

jimbudd wrote:

No Wout Poels?!? Can't help but feel that's a mistake, he was colossal for Froome on last year's tour

Agreed, he is an amazing force. But  Michal Kwiatkowski, Mikel Landa, Mikel Nieve ... an embarassment of riches.  If CF can't manage with that lot then he's in trouble.

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