British riders Peter Kennaugh, Andy Fenn and Alex Peters have been selected by Team Sky to take part in the 2016 Amgen Tour of California, starting on May 15.
The trio of Brits will be joined by Norwegian 2015 Tour de Yorkshire champion Lars Petter Nordhaug, Belarusian Vasil Kiryienka, Italian Gianni Moscon, Spaniard Xabier Zandio and Dutch sprinter Danny van Poppel.
Fenn, Kennaugh, Nordhaug and van Poppel transfer to America from this year's edition of the Tour de Yorkshire, which finished on May 1.
>>> Tour of California 2016: Latest news, reports and info
British road race champion Kennaugh was a regular fixture at the front of the pack during the Tour de Yorkshire, setting the pace and helping to chase breaks down. The squad's Nicolas Roche ended the TdY in second spot, six seconds behind overall winner Thomas Voeckler (Direct Energie).
Kennaugh finished the 2015 Tour of California in ninth position behind overall winner Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) and is therefore one of Sky's strongest options for a good GC placing alongside Nordhaug. Kennaugh won the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and a stage of the Herald Sun Tour in Australia in January and February.
>>> Bradley Wiggins to ride 2016 Amgen Tour of California
Sagan returns to California to defend his title, and is joined by another former winner in the shape of Sir Bradley Wiggins (Team Wiggins), who won in 2014.
Colombian Sergio Henao was Sky's top finisher in 2015 in third place, but is currently withdrawn from racing as his biological passport values are investigated.
Watch: Inside Team Sky's training camp
Van Poppel will provide firepower in the sprints, where he will come up against former Sky rider Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data), who took four stages and the sprint classification in 2015.
The UCI 2.HC-ranked Amgen Tour of California starts in San Diego on Sunday, May 15, and concludes in Sacramento on Sunday, May 22.
The race features a 20.3km individual time trial on stage six and a testing summit finish on stage three, both of which will shape the general classification.
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
-
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
-
No Egan Bernal at Paris-Nice as knee injury disrupts season
Former Tour de France champion "OK" but return is unknown at the moment
-
Global backers in talks over new British WorldTour team
Former management of Ribble Weldtite courting interest in new project
-
'I remember the crowds more than anything': Tom Pidcock recalls his Alpe d'Huez Tour de France stage win
Our male rider of the year, Tom Pidcock, talks us through the highs and lows of his 2022 campaign
-
Leo Hayter, Cycling Weekly's rising star of 2022, talks through his season in the spotlight
We caught up with the winner of the "Baby Giro" to hear all about the win in Italy and his dream move to Ineos Grenadiers
-
Ineos Grenadiers release 'visibly fast' 2023 jersey
Navy is replaced with red as British team changes its look
-
Where next for Mark Cavendish after B & B Hotels-KTM's collapse?
We look at where the ‘Manx Missile’ could find himself next after the collapse of B & B Hotels-KTM
-
‘It’s a good thing and shows progression of the sport’ - Ben Swift hails changes at British Cycling academy
Ineos Grenadier says putting academy riders in with development teams will encourage development of many skills
