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Team Sky announces Tour de France squad

Discussion in 'Cycling' started by Not606 News Team, Jun 23, 2011.

  1. Not606 News Team

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    Team Sky have revealed the nine-man team that will compete in the 98th edition of the Tour de France, starting on 2 July.

    As expected, the squad will be led by Bradley Wiggins, who's fourth-place finish in 2009 equally the best British Tour de France performance.

    Fellow British riders Geraint Thomas, in his third Tour de France, and debutant Ben Swift also make the team.

    Talented young Norwegian Edvald Boasson Hagen returns for a second Tour de France after two podium finishes on his debut. Fellow mountain-specialist Rigoberto Urán, of Colombia, joins him. Both imprssed at the Critérium du Dauphiné.

    Experienced Grand Tour riders Juan Antonio Flecha of Spain (eight Tours), compatriot Xabier Zandio (five Tours) and Germany’s Christian Knees (eight Tours) are all in, while Simon Gerrans, a stage winner in all three of his previous Grand Tours, completes the line-up.

    All of the riders named, except Swift, helped Wiggins to an impressive win in the Dauphiné earlier this month. Team Principal Dave Brailsford said: "This is a strong and balanced team with a real depth of talent to cater for all the race’s challenges, from the team time trial to its high mountain finishes.

    "The squad have raced and trained together consistently well and are full of confidence after excellent results at Bayern Rundfhart and the Critérium du Dauphiné.

    "There is a great blend of experience and youth in our squad. As well as riders like Bradley, Flecha, Simon, Christian and Xabier who have ridden the Grand Tours on numerous occasions, the line up also includes some of the peloton’s brightest young talents in Edvald, Geraint, Rigoberto and Ben. We have a really exciting team that can’t wait for 2 July."

    But Brailsford is also looking forward to the inexperienced Swift making his bow.

    He added: "I am delighted that Ben Swift will be making his Tour debut, he is enjoying a breakthrough season with five wins already and he will absolutely thrive on this opportunity to test himself on the biggest stage of all."

    The action starts in just over a week.
     
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