Team Sky principal Dave Brailsford is confident that he has picked a line-up that is capable of winning the Tour de France.
The British squad announced its nine-man roster on Monday and balances powerful riders capable of shepherding Chris Froome through a hazardous opening week with with climbing strength for the second half of the race.
“They all have different roles to play,” Brailsford said of his charges on Sky Sports News on Monday. “The challenge is to play their particular role to the best of their ability. If they all perform to the best of their ability I’m sure we’ll win the race.”
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With potential crosswinds on the Dutch coast and exposed roads of northern France, leg-sapping finishes atop the Mur de Huy and the Mûr de Bretagne, and cobbles that formed part of this year’s Paris-Roubaix, the opening eight stages promise chaotic, Classics-flavoured racing.
With that in mind, Brailsford is calling on Het Nieuwsblad winner Ian Stannard, E3 Harelbeke champion Geraint Thomas, and Paris-Roubaix top-10 finisher Luke Rowe to protect Froome.
"I think he [Stannard] is going to be absolutely pivotal in those first 10 days," said Brailsford. "He is a big guy – he’s a powerhouse. His real role will be protecting the team, protecting Chris. Chris will sit on his wheel through the day, but then when we need to chase or control the race then Ian Stannard is our man. He’s so strong, so versatile.
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