Geraint Thomas and Luke Rowe have been named in Team Sky’s squad for the Tour de France.

The Cardiff-born duo are part of a nine-strong squad that will be backing Chris Froome when he launches his bid for a fourth win in Dusseldorf on July 1st.

Thomas will be making his eighth appearance in the world’s greatest cycle race having made his debut when with Barloworld in 2007.

The 31-year-old has played a key role in backing Froome in his previous Tour wins in 2013 – when he raced despite cracking his pelvis on the opening stage – 2015 and last year.

Thomas will be looking to bounce back from the disappointment of having to pull-out of the Giro d’Italia with injury when looking set to challenge for a podium at least.

The Monaco-based rider said: “I’m certainly looking forward to the Tour.

“Having it to focus on having come off the Giro has been really, really good for me.

“Obviously the way the Giro ended for me was frustrating, as it was a big opportunity for me to show what I could do as a leader over a three-week Grand Tour.

“But now hopefully I can go to the Tour, put on a good show, and next year try all over again.”

Rowe will be making his third appearance at the Tour having also helped Froome win in 2015 and 12 months ago.

The 27-year-old goes into the event on the back of a classic campaign that saw him bag third place at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne in March.

Rowe said: “This will be my third time doing the Tour de France, and I think what you have to get used to is the scale of it.

“It’s just far, far bigger than any other event in the sport.
“The race is harder, faster and more stressful and the off bike stuff is just on a different level.

“I think what I realised was the need to take it all in my stride and not let individual things get on top of me.

“Everything is just one piece of a much bigger puzzle, so you have to accept it’s one big show and go with the flow.