Team Sky announce Tour Down Under line-up
Geraint Thomas and Sergio Henao head Team Sky's line-up for the opening WorldTour race of the 2017 season: the Tour Down Under (January 17-22)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Team Sky has announced a very strong line-up of riders for the 2017 Santos Tour Down Under, taking place in Australia from January 17-22.
Four British riders have been named in the seven-man team for the opening 2017 WorldTour event: Geraint Thomas, Ian Stannard, Luke Rowe and new recruit Owain Doull, who was signed from Team Wiggins at the end of last season.
Colombian cousins Sergio and Sebastian Henao and Dutch sprinter Danny Van Poppel complete the British WorldTour squad's TDU roster.
>>> Tour Down Under 2017: Stage by stage guide
Thomas has a solid track record in the TDU, having placed third overall in the 2013 edition of the race after taking a stage victory, and eighth overall in 2014.
Last year, the Welshman won Paris-Nice – arguably his biggest road win to date – and successfully defended his Volta ao Algarve win from 2015.
Having switched from the Classics to focussing on stage racing last season, it is unclear at present what Thomas's main aims are for 2017. The TDU will give him a chance to assess his form.
Sergio Henao will be a strong option for the team's general classification aspirations in the TDU, having placed third overall last year behind winner Simon Gerrans (Orica-Scott) and second-placed Richie Porte (BMC Racing).
Henao also came away with the King of the Mountains jersey.
Rowe and Stannard will be making their first top-level racing appearance ahead of the Spring Classics, where they will spearhead Sky's aims over the cobbles and bergs of northern Europe.
>>> Tour Down Under 2017: Latest news, TV guide, info and reports
Van Poppel will be the team's option for the race's sprint stages. The 23-year-old Dutchman enjoyed a good start to his tenure in Team Sky last year with four victories.
The six-day Tour Down Under takes place in and around Adelaide, South Australia, over January 17-22. Traditionally, the race is settled on the 'queen' stage five, which finishes atop Willunga Hill. The TDU is preceded by the one-day People's Choice Classic criterium in Adelaide on January 14.
Team Sky for 2017 Tour Down Under
Owain Doull (GBr)
Sebastian Henao (Col)
Sergio Henao (Col)
Luke Rowe (GBr)
Ian Stannard (GBr)
Geraint Thomas (GBr)
Danny Van Poppel (Ned)
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
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, n exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
-
Tailfin Top Tube Pack review - the all new range has been a resounding success
if you're fussy about details, this could one for you
By Stefan Abram • Published
-
Shimano issues stop riding and recall notice on Pro Vibe alloy stems
Company says cracks can form in Vibe Stems purchased since May 2020
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tom Pidcock: 'It won’t be difficult to beat my 2022 Classics results'
Ineos Grenadiers' multi-format star ready for central role in one-day racing this Spring
By Adam Becket • Published
-
No Egan Bernal at Paris-Nice as knee injury disrupts season
Former Tour de France champion "OK" but return is unknown at the moment
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Jay Vine is more than a stage hunter and no Willunga works: Five things we learned from the Tour Down Under
The WorldTours are back, and some riders and teams hit the ground running, while others were absent
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Phil Bauhaus outsprints Caleb Ewan to win stage one of Tour Down Under
The German recovered from an earlier crash to beat Caleb Ewan and Michael Matthews in a bunch sprint
By Sophie Smith • Published
-
Alberto Bettiol wins Tour Down Under prologue, Brown claims women's race title
The Italian made the best of dry conditions before the weather turned and says the real race starts tomorrow
By Sophie Smith • Published
-
Tour Down Under 2023: Seven contenders to watch out for
Multiple big names from the men's and women's WorldTour will be beginning the new season in the coming days
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Global backers in talks over new British WorldTour team
Former management of Ribble Weldtite courting interest in new project
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
How to watch the Tour Down Under 2023
Don't miss the first WorldTour race of the season in Australia
By Tom Thewlis • Published