Wales' Geraint Thomas and Luke Rowe will join Team Sky at the 103rd edition of the Tour de France this summer.
Team Sky has announced its line up for the 2016 Tour de France. The 103rd edition of the Tour starts at Mont-Saint-Michel on Saturday 2nd July and concludes on Sunday 24th July in Paris.
Defending champion Chris Froome will be joined by: Sergio Henao, Vasil Kiryienka, Mikel Landa, Mikel Nieve, Wout Poels, Luke Rowe, Ian Stannard and Geraint Thomas. Team Sky will be aiming to win a fourth Tour de France, with Froome chasing a hat trick of victories after previous wins in 2013 and 2015.
After securing the biggest win of his career earlier this season at Paris-Nice, 'G' now heads into his seventh Tour de France off the back of a superb performance last year. As one of the most versatile riders in the sport, Thomas has shown he can excel no matter the terrain. Whether battling over cobbles or climbs, the Welshman is consistently in the mix, often fighting for victory. Playing an invaluable supporting role and improving in the mountains with each season, he has already been part of two Tour victories and will be looking to make it three in 2016.
In his Tour de France debut in 2015, Luke Rowe helped support Chris Froome all the way to victory in Paris. One of the brightest young British talents in the sport, he has gone from strength to strength since turning pro with Team Sky in 2012. An old head on young shoulders, the Welshman is establishing himself as one of the team's in-race road captains. A powerful presence on the flat and in the cross-winds, Rowe's penchant for the Classics has already seen him place fifth at the Tour of Flanders and eighth at Paris-Roubaix.
Team Principal, Sir Dave Brailsford, said: “Every Tour is different, so that means choosing the team we believe is best equipped to deal with the many different challenges of this race. We have selected a talented group of riders with Chris as the leader once again. I know they will do everything they can to help him try to win yellow.
"We can take a lot of confidence as a Team from what we have achieved already this year, but we know how much it takes to win the Tour. Of course there are a number of riders in other teams capable of putting in a challenge for overall victory. That’s great news for cycling fans, who can look forward to seeing some really competitive racing.
"We are as excited as the fans about what’s to come and we’re looking forward to getting started next Saturday”.
The Team Sky squad for the 2016 Tour de France is:
Chris Froome
Sergio Henao
Vasil Kiryienka
Mikel Landa
Mikel Nieve
Wout Poels
Luke Rowe
Ian Stannard
Geraint Thomas
