Geraint Thomas given strong team of domestiques as he prepares to lead Team Sky at the Giro
As expected, Geraint Thomas and Mikel Landa will co-lead Team Sky at the Giro d'Italia
Team Sky have announced their team for the upcoming Giro d'Italia, with Geraint Thomas and Mikel Landa confirmed as co-team leaders.
The news comes as no surprise after Sky successfully trialled the use of both as leaders at the Tour of the Alps which lead to Thomas taking victory and Landa riding in support.
The team has seemingly learned from the mistakes of last year's Giro when Landa dropped out after suffering from a fever leaving the team leaderless, and will be hedging their bets with both Landa and Thomas in 2017.
>>> Giro d'Italia 2017 start list
Landa and Thomas will be supported by a strong team of climbing domestiques, including Philip Deignan, Kenny Elissonde, Sebasian Henao, and Vasil Kiryienka.
However the there is no space for Italian sprinter Elia Viviani, who has thirteen top-ten finishes, including one win, in bunch sprints at the race.
Watch: Giro d'Italia 2017 essential guide
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thomas enjoyed victory at the Tour of the Alps, but will face a much stronger field at the Giro, with 2016 champion Vincenzo Nibali hoping to secure another Grand Tour victory with his new team, Bahrain-Merida.
Nairo Quintana (Movistar) will also be riding, hoping to become the first person this side of the millennium to win the Giro/Tour double.
>>> Giro d'Italia highlights to be broadcast free-to-air for UK cycling fans
Other notable names like last year's breakthrough star, Steven Kruijswijk, will want to impress, and Orica-Scott's Adam Yates will want to go even better than his performance at the 2016 Tour de France, where he finished fourth.
Full Team Sky squad for the Giro d'Italia:
Philip Deignan
Kenny Elissonde
Michal Golas
Sebastian Henao
Vasil Kiryienka
Mikel Landa
Salvatore Puccio
Diego Rosa
Geraint Thomas
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
US-made, recyclable carbon road wheels: Forge+Bond expands into road cycling with its all-new CR Series
Building onto its gravel and mountain collections, the Utah-based company aims to deliver “exceptional performance and comfort on every ride”
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Calling all women sports photographers - a $50K scholarship is up for grabs from Peak Design and The Roam Collective
Peak Design and The Roam Collective have partnered to offer the Roam Media Core Scholarship, which provides up-and-coming U.S.-based femme sports creatives with funding and industry connections.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
Giro d'Italia 2024 contenders: Can anyone stop Tadej Pogačar?
The Slovenian is the outright favourite for overall victory but there are plenty of other riders capable of having a say on the start line
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Giro d'Italia 2024 start list: Biniam Girmay leads Intermarché-Wanty, Kaden Groves for Alpecin-Deceuninck
All the teams and riders for the 107th Giro d'Italia
By Adam Becket Last updated
-
'It was one of the hardest days of my life' - Rain and cold lay waste to Tour of the Alps
Juanpe López takes stage three victory, while Geraint Thomas finishes three minutes down in inclement Austrian weather
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'It was time to change': No regrets for Rod Ellingworth after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
New Tour of Britain race director says he is still on good terms with Dave Brailsford after resigning from team last year
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I’m just here to enjoy it': Tom Pidcock on his surprise Paris-Roubaix appearance
British rider was a late addition to the Ineos Grenadiers team for the race across the pavé
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
The art of peaking with Geraint Thomas: 'It’s easy to take for granted that 9 times out of 10 I hit my goals'
The Welshman also calls for better governance in the sport to help it grow further
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers’ 500th victory was claimed by a woman; why do they still not have a team?
The British squad is one of the richest in cycling - but Ineos still won’t stump up for a women’s team
By Adam Becket Published
-
'This is so much more than a number': Six of the best Ineos Grenadiers wins as team claims 500th race victory
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot took the 500th team win at the weekend
By Tom Thewlis Published