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Chris Froome ‘hungrier than ever’ for Tour de France success as Team Sky confirms line-up

Froome one of four Brits in team; Geraint Thomas among key supporting riders

Defending champion Chris Froome says he is hungrier than ever for Tour de France success after Team Sky named the eight riders who will support his bid for a third yellow jersey.

Froome heads a line-up containing four Brits in all – Geraint Thomas, Luke Rowe and Ian Stannard all return after playing key roles in last year’s win – and believes he is in top shape after winning the Criterium du Dauphine.

But the 2013 and 2015 champion has warned the form book counts for nothing when it comes to the season’s biggest race.

Defending champion Chris Froome heads a fiercely strong Team Sky line-up (pic: Sirotti)

“The Tour de France will always be the pinnacle of our sport,” he said. “I feel in good shape coming into the race this year and am fortunate to have a strong team around me – both on and off the bike.

“Every rider obviously starts every new Tour equal and what has gone before counts for nothing. This year I am hungrier than ever for success.

“We know how hard this race will be and how much we will have to give if we want to win it again.

“But we have trained hard. We’re ready for the challenge and can’t wait to get back racing in front of the millions of people in France who make the race so special.”

Froome will be supported in the mountains by Colombian Sergio Henao, who returned to the peloton to great success at the Criterium du Dauphine, fit-again Mikel Landa and Mikel Nieve.

Landa was leading Team Sky at the Giro d’Italia and had moved up to eighth overall before illness curtailed his race.

However, the Spaniard – who alongside Henao makes his first Tour appearance for Team Sky – returned for the Dauphine and finished 12th as he supported Froome to victory.

Nieve, meanwhile, was crowned King of the Mountains at the Giro d’Italia and was a top-ten finisher at last year’s Vuelta a Espana.

The team is completed by Wout Poels – who won Team Sky’s first Monument at Liege-Bastogne-Liege in the sprint – and world time trial champion Vasil Kiryienka, who will get two opportunities to don the rainbow skinsuit.

Team Sky have selected four Brits in all, with Geraint Thomas likely to be a key support act for Froome (pic: Sirotti)

Alongside the four Brits, Poels is the only other rider who was also part of last year’s Tour success and team principal Sir Dave Brailsford believes adapting the line-up for each race can be the key to success.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Team Sky for the 2016 Tour de France

Chris Froome (GBR)
Geraint Thomas (GBR)
Luke Rowe (GBR)
Ian Stannard (GBR)
Sergio Henao (COL)
Mikel Landa (ESP)
Mikel Nieve (ESP)
Wout Poels (NED)
Vasil Kiryienka (BLR)

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