Geraint Thomas will lead Team Sky in next month’s Tour of Britain, while fellow Brits Ben Swift, Alex Dowsett and Peter Kennaugh are also included in the provisional line-up with Australians Michael Rogers and Matthew Hayman.
- Geraint Thomas will lead Team Sky in the Tour of Britain (© Fusion Media)
The 25-year-old Thomas, who wore the Tour de France’s white jersey for the opening week of this year’s race, will be riding his sixth Tour of Britain, finishing sixth and 12th in the past two editions.
Swift secured his first victory as a professional in the 2009 Tour of Britain, and made his Tour de France debut in July, while Kennaugh rode his first Grand Tour, the Giro d’Italia, in May and Dowsett earned his first win in the pro peloton at the Tour du Poitou in France last week.
The 2011 race starts in the Scottish Borders on Sunday September 11 and finishes with a double stage – a time trial followed by a criterium – on Sunday September 18.
“This is a strong and exciting team for the Tour of Britain,” said team principal Dave Brailsford. “After a hugely successful season on the roads of Europe and beyond, it is really exciting to be racing in front of our home fans and we will be looking to repay the great support they have given the team all year.
“The squad features a great mix of young and experienced riders that will be well equipped to deal with the race’s challenges. Team Sky was created to give British talent a chance at the elite end of racing and in Geraint, Ben, Alex and Peter we have four of this country’s most exciting professionals. They have shown all season with their results that they can ride and compete with the world’s best cyclists.
“Alongside them will be the hugely experienced Michael Rogers and Mathew Hayman – riders who have performed at Grand Tour level on numerous occasions. We have a really exciting team and can’t wait for September 11.”
Meanwhile, Ed Clancy, who won team pursuit with Thomas at the Beijing Olympics, will lead Rapha Condor Sharp’s six-man line-up.
Former national champion Kristian House, Andy Tennant and Jonathan Tiernan-Locke also feature, alongside Dan Craven (Namibia) and Zak Dempster (Australia).
Team Sky provisional Tour of Britain line-up:
Alex Dowsett (Gbr), Mathew Hayman (Aus), Peter Kennaugh (Gbr), Michael Rogers (Aus), Ben Swift (Gbr), Geraint Thomas (Gbr)
Reserves: Steve Cummings (Gbr), Greg Henderson (Nzl), Jeremy Hunt (Gbr)
Rapha Condor Sharp provisional Tour of Britain line-up:
Ed Clancy (Gbr), Dan Craven (Nam), Zak Dempster (Aus), Kristian House (Gbr), Jonathan Tiernan-Locke (Gbr), Andy Tennant (Gbr)
Reserves: Graham Briggs (Gbr), Dean Downing (Gbr), Ben Greenwood (Gbr), Casey Munro (Aus), Dean Windsor (Aus)
