Team Sky has confirmed the riders that will support Chris Froome as he targets a fourth Tour de France victory, with Geraint Thomas, Mikel Landa, Milan-San Remo winner Michal Kwiatkowski, and Paris-Nice winner Sergio Henao all in the British teamīs strong line-up. However, there is no place for Wout Poels or Britons Pete Kennaugh and Ian Stannard. Team Sky are targeting a fifth Tour de France victory after first winning the race in 2012 with Bradley Wiggins, with Froome going on to win it in 2013, 2015 and 2016. Team Sky arguably has the strongest team for the Tour de France and is hoping Froome can find his best form in July after a failing to win a race so far this season. Froome faces a serious challenge from former teammate Richie Porte (BMC), Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo), Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and Romain Bardet (AG2R-La Mondiale).ADVERTISEMENT `The Tour de France is a special race and it would just be incredible to win it for a fourth time. Aiming for that fourth victory has given me a lot of motivation,` said Froome in a statement announcing Sky`s line-up on Thursday. `Weīre ready as a team and I canīt wait for the Tour to start now. Honestly, I just love it. Itīs a feeling that you donīt get from any other race.` Geraint Thomas targeted the Giro dīItalia as team leader but was forced to quit due to the injuries he sustained in a crash sparked by a police motorbike on stage 9. He has now recovered and recently raced the Route du Sud as a final test of his form. He is expected to be Froome`s co-captain as well as a possible Plan B leader for the overall classification if Froome struggles or is injured. Team Sky has again opted for a mixed team of support riders to help and protect Froome on the hectic flat stages and in the mountains. Seven of the riders rode the 2016 Tour de France, with Kwiatkowski arguably replacing Poels and Knees replacing Stannard. The average age of the squad is an experienced 30.8. As statistician Cillian Kelly pointed ...
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