Having missed out on selection to the Giro d'Italia because of an operation on his collarbone, Alex Dowsett could line up for Movistar at the Tour de France after being named in the team's 12-man shortlist.
The Essex rider started his first Tour in 2015, but a crash on stage four restricted him and he abandoned the race on stage 12.
But with a long time trial through the Ardèche on the route for the 2016 edition of the race, Dowsett is in with a good shot of supporting leader Nairo Quintana once more.
And Dowsett is in good form heading into the race, having broken the British 25-mile TT competition record at the weekend with a time of 44-29.
My toughest day: Alex Dowsett
Quintana will lead the Spanish team, looking to win his first Tour de France title having finished second to Chris Froome in both 2013 and 2015. Alejandro Valverde, who finished third in the Giro d'Italia, will ride in support of the Colombian.
Movistar shortlist for the Tour de France
Nairo Quintana, Alejandro Valverde, Winner Anacona, Jonathan Castroviejo, Alex Dowsett, Imanol Erviti, Jesus Herrada, Gorka Izagirre, Ion Izagirre, Dani Moreno, Nelson Oliveira and Fran Ventoso
Thank you for reading 10 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
-
-
Campagnolo's New Super Record Wireless is the most expensive groupset ever and you don't even get thumb shifters
The Italian component manufacturer has finally joined the wireless arms race with its much rumoured groupset
-
Lizzie Deignan to make Tour de France Femmes debut this July
'It's the biggest stage in the world,' says Brit
-
Will Barta's Canyon bike snaps in Giro d'Italia stage 10 crash
Movistar rider was caught up in incident in sodden day at Giro d'Italia
-
Alejandro Valverde to return to racing with new Movistar gravel squad
Spanish veteran will pin on numbers in his first ever gravel race at ‘La Indomable’ in Spain on 23 April
-
Women’s WorldTour calendar 'a mess' and 'a nonsense' says Movistar boss
The UCI must invest in the bottom of the pyramid to ensure the sport’s future says Sebastián Unzué
-
Movistar quick to quash Mark Cavendish signing report
Italian press speculation over future of sprinter denied by Spanish team
-
Changing of the guard: Seven top cyclists who have retired in 2022
Vincenzo Nibali, Alejandro Valverde and Tom Dumoulin have all called time on their careers this year
-
Facing retirement, Alex Dowsett is keeping his options well and truly open
33-year-old Israel-Premier Tech rider says reaction to his retirement has been 'exciting'
-
Van Vleuten confirms her superiority with Ceratizit Challenge GC victory
Elisa Balsamo takes the final stage bunch kick on the Madrid circuit after consummate work from Trek-Segafredo
-
Silvia Persico takes Ceratizit Challenge stage victory after a tense aggressive final
Olympic champion Anna Kiesenhofer comes close to pulling off a repeat of her Tokyo triumph with a 158km solo break
