Team Sky have announced their nine-man team for the forthcoming Tour de France and one of those to miss out on selection is Irish rider Nicolas Roche.
It will be the first time since 2008 that Roche hasn’t lined up at the Tour. He has taken part in seven previous editions with a 12th place finish in 2012 his best GC result.
Roche’s compatriot Philip Deignan also misses out on Tour selection with both riders having lined up at the Giro d’Italia in May.
Roche can now concentrate on preparing for the Olympics Road Race in Rio where he will line up alongside his cousin Dan Martin.
The team will be aiming to win the race for the fourth time with defending champion Chris Froome looking for a hat trick of victories after previous wins in 2013 and 2015.
Froome will be joined by Sergio Henao, Vasil Kiryienka, Mikel Landa, Mikel Nieve, Wout Poels, Luke Rowe, Ian Stannard and Geraint Thomas.
Chris Froome: “The Tour de France will always be the pinnacle of our sport. 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.”
Team Principal Dave Brailsford: “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”.
That’s too bad. Maybe his own focus is on the Olympics and then the Vuelta but I will miss him in the TdF.
The Brits never liked the Irish anyway.
this isn’t news. The tour wasn’t on his calendar this year but we get him for the National Championship
Here’s hoping to a good showing in the Vuelta, has always been his best Grand tour.
What about poor Philip?
The lad needs to move teams and get a tdf ride before he retires
That’s a shame.
Help Dan get an Olympic medal then grab a stage or two and a Top 10 in the Vuelta.
big shame. Great Team player.
Disappointing!