Team Sky confirm Chris Froome will start season at Ruta del Sol as Richie Porte heads to Volta ao Algarve
Friday 13 February 2015 14:47, UK
Team Sky have confirmed Chris Froome will make his season debut in Spain next week by naming him in their seven-man squad for the mountainous Ruta del Sol.
Froome is set to come up against arch-rival Alberto Contador at the five-day race, which takes place in Andalucia from February 18-22.
Froome will be joined in the team by Nicolas Roche, who will make his first appearance for Team Sky, as well as Britain’s Peter Kennaugh and Spanish climber Mikel Nieve.
Team Sky are also racing at the Tour of Oman (February 17-22) and Volta ao Algarve (February 28-22) next week.
New signings Wout Poels and Leopold König will be co-leaders in Oman, while Richie Porte will look to build on his encouraging start to the season by heading the line-up in Portugal.
Team Sky’s squads
Ruta del Sol: Chris Froome (GB), Peter Kennaugh (GB), Vasil Kiryienka (Blr), Mikel Nieve (Esp), Nicolas Roche (Irl), Kanstantsin Siutsou (Blr), Xabier Zandio (Esp).
Tour of Oman: Philip Deignan (Irl), Nathan Earle (Aus), Christian Knees (Ger), Leopold König (Cze), David Lopez (Esp), Danny Pate (USA), Wout Poels (Ned), Chris Sutton (Aus).
Volta ao Algarve: Ian Boswell (USA), Andy Fenn (GB), Sebastian Henao (Col), Lars-Petter Nordhaug (Nor), Richie Porte (Aus), Salvatore Puccio (Ita), Ben Swift (GB), Geraint Thomas (GB).
