Briton Jeremy Hunt has been named in Cervelo Test Team's nine-man 2010 Tour de France squad - it will be the first time that he has ridden the event.
Hunt, 36, joins overall contender Carlos Sastre (Spain), 2009 green jersey winner Thor Hushovd (Norway) and 2009 stage winner Heinrich Haussler (Germany) at the three-week race, which starts on July 3 in Rotterdam.
Hunt finished the Tour de Suisse at the weekend after a strong performance working for sprinter Hushovd, and has now been handed his first ever Tour ride in his 15th season as a professional. He was named on Credit Agricole's Tour team in 2008 but was withdrawn at the last minute.
Hunt will be an important aide to Hushovd in the Norwegian's bid to defend last year's point classification win.
Fellow Briton Daniel Lloyd, who has already ridden the Giro d'Italia this year, is named on the list as a reserve.
Hunt is scheduled to ride in the British road race national championships on Sunday (June 27) in Lancashire, a race he won in 1997 and 2001.
The 2010 Tour de France starts on Saturday, July 3, in Rotterdam (Netherlands) and concludes three weeks later in Paris on Sunday, July 25.
Cervelo Test Team: Full 2010 Tour de France team
Xavier Florencio (Spa)
Volodimir Gustov (Ukr)
Heinrich Haussler (Ger)
Jeremy Hunt (GB)
Thor Hushovd (Nor)
Andreas Klier (Ger)
Ignatas Konovalovas (Ltu)
Brett Lancaster (Aus)
Carlos Sastre (Spa)
Reserve
Daniel Lloyd (GB)
Jeremy Hunt: Race wins
2009
Otley criterium
Tour of Denmark; stage four
2008
Tour de Langkawi; stage two
2007
GP d'Ouverture La Marseillaise
2005
Tour de la Region Wallonne; stage two
2003
Tour de Picardie; stage two
2002
GP Ouest France Plouay
2001
Circuit Franco Belge; stage
Tour de la Somme; stage
British national road race champion
2000
Tour of the Mediterranean; stage
Sea Otter Classic; stage
Herald Sun Tour
1998
Tour of Portugal; stage
Tour of Portugal; stage
Manacor-Manacor
1997
British national road race champion
Related links
Hunt comes through Tour de Suisse in good shape
Tour de France 2010: Cycling Weekly's coverage index
Jeremy Hunt: Rider Profile
