Chris Froome heads Team Sky Tour de France line-up

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Team Sky team principal Sir Dave Brailsford says Chris Froome is in 'uncharted territory' as he tries to win a record-equalling fifth Tour de France title.

Chris Froome will head Team Sky's 2018 Tour de France line-up as he goes in search of a record-equalling fifth title.

Froome, the reigning Tour de France, Vuelta a Espana and Giro d'Italia champion, is aiming to join Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain as a five-time Tour de France winner, while also attempting to complete the Giro-Tour double.

He was cleared to race at this year's event, which starts on Saturday, after an investigation by The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) into his adverse analytical finding (AAF) for salbutamol was closed on Monday, clearing the Team Sky rider of any wrongdoing.

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Chris Froome says he is relieved to have been cleared of any wrongdoing from his UCI investigation and is happy to put a 'difficult period' behind him.

Froome will be supported by three members of last year's Team Sky line-up - Geraint Thomas, Luke Rowe and Michal Kwiatkowski - while Wout Poels, 30, and Jonathan Castroviejo, 31, add experience. Tour debutants Gianni Moscon and Egan Bernal complete the team.

"The last 12 months have been the hardest but also the most incredible of my career," said Froome.

"I've never started the Tour de France after riding the Giro d'Italia and it has meant a completely different approach to my season. But I learnt a lot from riding the Vuelta straight after the Tour de France last year which has given me confidence coming into this race.

Froome, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, celebrates victory with a glass of champagne

"I want to make history with a fifth Tour de France win and fourth consecutive Grand Tour. I am under no illusion about the challenge, but I am feeling ready and I couldn't ask for a better team to support me.

"This is the biggest race in the year, in front of the most passionate cycling fans, and I can't wait to get racing."

Team Sky lead the peloton during stage eight of the 2017 Tour de France

Team Sky team principal Sir Dave Brailsford added: "We go into the Tour with a lot of confidence. Chris is in great shape after the Giro - mentally and physically - and the whole team want to build on the success we had in Italy.

"Chris is already one of the greats of the sport. This is a chance for him to cement that reputation even further.

"We have chosen the team to support him that we believe is best equipped to meet the demands of this year's race. It is a team of real versatility and one that balances youth with experience.

Wouter Poels raced with Froome during his Giro d'Italia victory this year

"We are really proud that Gianni Moscon and Egan Bernal will be making their Tour de France debuts with us. They are both very talented bike riders and will have a lot to offer.

"It is also fantastic that Luke Rowe will be riding the Tour again as our road captain after his serious accident last summer. It is testament to his ability and determination that he has come back so strongly.

Michal Kwiatkowski won the Volta ao Algarve and Tirreno-Adriatico earlier this year

"These are very special weeks every year. We love riding in France and we are all looking forward to starting racing."

The team will be showing support for Sky Ocean Rescue throughout the Tour with a new kit featuring orcas on the back of the jersey to highlight the campaign.