Geraint Thomas will return to action in Italy on Saturday as he continues his build-up to defending his Tour de France crown.

The Cardiff-born rider will compete in Strade Bianche and is then set to stay in Italy to ride next week’s Tirreno-Adriatico.

Thomas will be joined this weekend by countryman Owain Doull who is fresh off the best result of his road racing career when he finished second in Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne last weekend.

The Team Sky duo will face a top-class field in Strade Bianche including last year’s winner Tiesj Benoot who will lead Lotto Soudal with Tim Wellens.

Greg van Avermaet, former Tour de France champ Vincenzo Nibali and Fernando Gaviria are also taking part.

Thomas, who has not ridden the race before, made his first appearance of the season at last month’s Volta a la Comunitat Valencianna in Spain finishing 44th.

The 32-year-old has since been back to Tenerife for a training stint at altitude as he looks to regain top form having taken longer off than usual last winter following his Yellow Jersey success.

Thomas has insisted he is focusing on defending his Tour crown despite speculation linking him with competing in May’s Giro d’Italia.

“I did not want to jeopardise the chances of the Tour for anything this year,” he said recently. “As defending champion, I feel as if I have to go back and want to be in the best shape possible.”

Team Sky for Strade Bianche: Leonardo Basso, Owain Doull, Michal Golas, Gianni Moscon, Salvatore Puccio, Diego Rosa and Geraint Thomas.