Team Sky reveals strong line-up for Tour de Yorkshire to defend title

Lars Petter Nordhaug returns to the Tour de Yorkshire to defend his win from last season, supported by strong list of riders

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Team Sky has announced a full-strength line-up for this year’s Tour de Yorkshire (April 29-May 1) as the British WorldTour team attempts to defend Lars Petter Norhaug’s win from last year.

Norwegian Nordaug won the inaugural edition of the Tour de Yorkshire in 2015 after taking the victory on the opening stage and defending the lead over the following two days.

Nordhaug will be joined by a Sky team that includes British road race national champion Peter Kennaugh and fellow British riders Andy Fenn and Luke Rowe. Italian Gianni Moscon, Irishman Nicolas Roche and Dutch sprinter Danny Van Poppel complete the team.

Nordhaug rode in support of Wout Poels during Sunday’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where Poels went on to take the victory – Sky’s first Monument win.

>>> Tour de Yorkshire 2016 live TV guide

With a selection of riders coming into the race from a successful Classics season in northern Europe, and seasoned stage racers, Sky has a strength in depth during the tough race.

This year’s Tour de Yorkshire features a star-studded start list, with Sir Bradley Wiggins making a rare road appearance with Team Wiggins, plus Paris-Roubaix winner Mathew Hayman (Orica-GreenEdge), Steve Cummings (Dimension Data), Adam Yates (Orica-GreenEdge), Thomas Voeckler (Direct Energie), Rohan Dennis (BMC) and Warren Barguil (Giant-Alpecin).

Watch: Tour de Yorkshire 2016 essential guide

The race kicks off in Beverley on Friday April 29 with a 186km stage to Settle. On Saturday April 30, stage two runs from Otley to Doncaster over 136km. The race concludes on Sunday May 1 with a long, climb-filled trip from Middlesborough to Scarborough comprising 198km.

The women’s Tour de Yorkshire is a one-day event on April 30, using the same route as the men’s stage two from Otley to Doncaster. Home favourite and world champion Lizzie Armitstead heads up an equally stellar start list for the women’s race.