Geraint Thomas and Chris Froome lead strong Team Sky squad for Tour of Britain

ByPete Sharland

Updated 29/08/2018 at 09:10 GMT

Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas and Chris Froome lead a strong line-up for Team Sky at the Tour of Britain.

Geraint Thomas and Chris Froome.

Image credit: Getty Images

It had already been confirmed that the pair would miss La Vuelta A Espana following their exploits in the Tour.

They headline a Team Sky squad for the Tour of Britain, which starts on Sunday, which also includes Wout Poels.

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Vasil Kiryienka, Ian Stannard and Lukasz Wisniowski make up the rest of the squad.

Thomas and Froome both spoke of their excitement of racing in Britain in a statement on Team Sky's website.

“I want to go to the race in the shape to compete and enjoy it. We’ll have to see how the next few weeks go but I’m looking forward to it and I know we will have a strong team there. Wout is looking really good at the moment too." Thomas said.

As soon as I’d finished the Tour I knew I wanted to ride the Tour of Britain and race on home roads. It starts in Wales which will be special, and then I get to go and race across the whole of the UK. I can’t wait.

Froome added “It’s been a long time since I’ve raced the Tour of Britain. The Vuelta a Espana has always been such a big goal and sadly coincided with the Tour of Britain, but not doing La Vuelta this year gives me the chance to come back to the UK and race on what looks like a great parcours.

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I’m really looking forward to riding. I always remember there being a great atmosphere at the Tour of Britain and the race has only got bigger over the years. I’m really looking forward to coming back.

The first stage starts at Pembrey Country Park on Sunday and the final stage will take place on September 9 on Sunday.

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