Sky announces strong team for 2013 Tour de France

Team Sky today confirmed the eight riders who will support Chris Froome in his bid to become the 2013 Tour de France champion.

As expected, Froome's wingman Richie Porte, along with Edvald Boasson Hagen and Briton Geraint Thomas have been selected to race. Two further British riders have also been selected: Ian Stannard and Peter Kennaugh, both of whom make their Tour debut.

One surprise omission is Austrian Bernhard Eisel, who would have taken part in his 10th Tour had he been selected.

Climbers David Lopez and Vasil Kiryienka will also line-up in black and blue on the start line in Corsica on June 29, while Belarusian Kantanstin Siutsou will provide the power at the front of the peloton.

Tour de France 2013: Team tracker >>

SKY TOUR DE FRANCE 2013 TEAM

Chris Froome

Age: 28 Nationality: British

Number of Tours completed: 2 out of 2

Best performance: Second overall and stage win, 2012

Wins in 2013: Overall and stage, Tour of Oman. Stage, Tirreno-Adriatico. Overall and stage, Critérium International. Overall and stage, Tour of Romandy. Overall and and stage, Critérium du Dauphiné 

Richie Porte

Age: 28 Nationality: Australian

Number of Tours completed: 2 out of 2

Best performance: 34th overall, 2012

Raced with Froome in 2013 at: Tour of Oman, Critérium International, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Tour of Romandy, Critérium du Dauphiné

Geraint Thomas

Age: 27 Nationality: British

Number of Tours completed: 3 out of 3

Best performance: 31st overall, 2011

Raced with Froome in 2013 at: Critérium du Dauphiné

Edvald Boasson Hagen

Age: 26 Nationality: Norwegian

Number of Tours completed: 3 out of 3

Best performance: 52nd overall and two stage wins, 2011

Raced with Froome in 2013 at: Critérium du Dauphiné

David Lopez

Age: 32 Nationality: Spanish

Number of Tours completed: 1 out of 2

Best performance: 48th overall, 2006

Raced with Froome in 2013 at: Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Tour of Romandy, Critérium du Dauphiné

Vasil Kiryienka

Age: 31 Nationality: Belarusian

Number of Tours completed: 2 out of 3

Best performance: 59th overall, 2010

Raced with Froome in 2013 at: Tour of Oman, Critérium International, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Tour of Romandy, Critérium du Dauphiné

Kanstantsin Siutsou

Age: 30 Nationality: Belarusian

Number of Tours completed: 3 out of 4

Best performance: 16th overall, 2008

Raced with Froome in 2013 at: Critérium International

Ian Stannard

Age: 26 Nationality: British

Number of Tours completed: N/A

Best performance: N/A

Raced with Froome in 2013 at: Critérium du Dauphiné

Peter Kennaugh

Age: 23 Nationality: British

Number of Tours completed: N/A

Best performance: N/A

Raced with Froome in 2013 at: Tour of Oman, Tirreno-Adriatico, Tour of Romandy, Critérium du Dauphiné

Related links

Tour de France 2013: Cycling Weekly's coverage index

Tour de France 2013: Team tracker - squad rosters as they are announced

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