Michal Kwiatkowski and Sergio Henao headline Team Sky line-up for Tour of the Basque Country
Tao Geoghegan Hart the only Brit among the eight-man line-up
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qm8pHooGJX8bfoa5Ef9vEZ-415-80.jpg)
Michal Kwiatkowski goes solo to win 2017 Strade Bianche.
While the Classics may be in full swing in the northern reaches of Europe, the stage racing continues with the WorldTour Tour of the Basque Country next week, starting with stage one on Monday April 3.
>>> Tour of the Basque Country 2017 start list
Team Sky will be heading in with a two pronged attack, with a pair of riders who have known significant success over the last month or so.
Milan-San Remo winner Michal Kwiatkowski will begin his build-up to the Ardennes Classics with a ride here, and will more likely be suited to stage wins with an extremely arduous parcours of climbing which is more suited to super lightweight climbers.
Sergio Henao will carry that flag for Sky, looking to better his second place finished overall in Pais Vasco in 2015 and 2016. He'll come up against Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) once again, having beat the Spaniard by two seconds to take the overall title at Paris-Nice in early March.
Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) will also provide a challenge to any title hopes for Sky, with the veteran Spaniard on flying form after winning the overall and three stages at the Volta a Catalunya.
Tao Geoghegan Hart will be the only Brit in attendance, with the 22-year-old taking on his second WorldTour stage race having debuted in cycling's top tier at the Dubai Tour in February.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The same Team Sky line-up for the Tour of the Basque Country will also start the Spanish one-day race GP Miguel Indurain which takes place on the same day as the Tour of Flanders, Sunday April 1.
Full Team Sky squad for Tour of the Basque Country: Tao Geoghegan Hart, Michal Golas, Sebastian Henao, Sergio Henao, Vasil Kiryienka, Michal Kwiatkowski, David Lopez and Mikel Nieve
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
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
Cofidis leaps to defend its Look bikes in the wake of Guillaume Martin comments
The French WorldTour team says the machines are cutting edge and reiterates trust in wheel sponsor too
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Italian pro hospitalised after being struck by truck driver
Matteo Moschetti was rushed to hospital in Milan after incident during training
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
It's time to stop expecting so much of Ineos Grenadiers at the Tour de France
The British team are always under pressure to match their past best, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tom Pidcock says Ineos Grenadiers will be 'better' at the Tour de France without Steve Cummings
Netflix series depicted tension between the DS and rider, dynamic sources told Cycling Weekly carries a degree of accuracy
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'dreaming' of taking yellow jersey on opening weekend of Tour de France
British rider hopes to play starring role in Italian Grand Départ
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I think I'll get the opportunity to go for a stage' - Geraint Thomas relishing support role at Tour de France
Former yellow jersey winner says this year's race "could be my last"
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Carlos Rodríguez to lead Ineos Grenadiers at Tour de France, supported by Geraint Thomas and Tom Pidcock
British squad will aim to "race aggressively and disrupt" at the French Grand Tour
By Adam Becket Published
-
21 things you didn't know about Tom Pidcock
According to the man himself, he's never had a hangover. It's alright for some.
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock adds extra mountain bike race to schedule, one week before Tour de France
Pidcock confirms he will race World Cup event in Crans Montana, Switzerland ahead of Olympic title defence
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
5 things we learned from the first week of the 2024 Giro d’Italia
The Italian Grand Tour is firmly underway and Tadej Pogačar is in the pink jersey. Here are our takeaways from the first week of action
By Tom Thewlis Published