Sky’s Tour squad focused on putting Bradley Wiggins into yellow
Cavendish says hunt for green jersey will be more difficult with team focused on Wiggins and yellow
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PARIS (AFP) — Bradley Wiggins’ support squad for the Tour de France was confirmed on Thursday, with Team Sky relying largely on the riders who have helped the Londoner to an unprecedented series of results this season.
Joining Wiggins, who has won Paris-Nice, the Tour de Romandie and the Critérium du Dauphiné this year to establish himself as a leading contender for the yellow jersey, will be world champion Mark Cavendish, winner of 20 stages in the last four Tours.
“I’m really proud to be part of such a strong unit going into the Tour de France. The team’s preparation has been perfectly managed and our form this season gives us a great chance of being successful,” said Wiggins.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time and I’ll do everything I can to win the Tour de France. Hopefully we can do the business for ourselves and our fans, and become the most successful British-based cycling team ever.”
Team Sky’s selection, which includes a third Briton in Chris Froome, suggests Wiggins’ bid to become the first British winner of the Tour takes priority over Cavendish’s defense of the points classification’s green jersey.
Also named in the nine-man squad for the 99th edition of the Tour are Norway’s Edvald Boasson Hagen, winner of Team Sky’s first Tour stages in 2011; Germany’s Christian Knees; Australians Richie Porte and Michael Rogers; Kanstantsin Siutsou of Belarus; and Austrian Bernhard Eisel.
“It’s a dream to ride for a team that holds so much British interest and has a chance to win the yellow jersey. I know the push for the GC podium will make it more difficult for me to repeat the success I’ve enjoyed the last few years,” said Cavendish. “But I’ll compete and — as always — I’ll dedicate myself to making it a successful Tour for Team Sky and, let’s hope, for Britain.”
Team Sky
Bradley Wiggins (GBR)
Mark Cavendish (GBR)
Chris Froome (GBR)
Michael Rogers (AUS)
Richie Porte (AUS)
Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR)
Bernhard Eisel (AUT)
Kanstantsin Siutsou (BLR)
Chrstian Knees (GER)