Team Sky reveal strong six-rider squad for 2017 Tour of Britain
Three British riders make the cut
Team Sky have announced the six riders who will start the 2017 Tour of Britain, with half of the team being made up of home-grown riders.
Having worn yellow at the Tour de France before crashing out on stage nine, Geraint Thomas will make his return to racing at the Tour of Britain.
>>> Tour of Britain 2017 route: stage-by-stage details and where to watch
This will be the first time since 2011 that the 31-year-old has raced in his home tour and, together with fellow Welshman Owain Doull, will have extra motivation with the final stage finishing in Cardiff.
The other Brit in the team is Tao Geoghegan Hart, the 22-year-old neo-pro who has enjoyed a quietly impressive first season in the professional ranks, and has form at the Tour of Britain having finished 15th overall in 2014 aged just 19.
Watch: Tour of Britain essential guide
Second place in that 2014 went to Michal Kwiatkowski (who then became road world champion just two weeks later), the Pole perhaps hoping to go one better this time round.
Team Sky’s Tour of Britain squad is completed by Vasil Kiryienka and Elia Viviani, both of whom could find opportunities in the 2017 race, Kiryienka in the 10-mile time trial in Essex on stage five, and Viviani on the numerous sprint stages that are scattered throughout the eight days of racing.
>>> Tour of Britain start list 2017
The 2017 Tour of Britain starts in Edinburgh on September 3, and finishes in Cardiff on September 10.
Team Sky squad for Tour of Britain
Owain Doull
Tao Geoghegan Hart
Vasil Kiryienka
Michal Kwiatkowski
Geraint Thomas
Elia Viviani