Second in 2015, Wout Poels is back to hunt the GC win for team Sky with some very fastmen for the sprints too
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Team News: Sky for the Tour of Britain
Team Press Release
Team Sky has selected its lineup for the 2016 Tour of Britain, which starts in Glasgow, Scotland, on Sunday 4 September and finishes in London on Sunday 11 September.
The six-man squad is packed full of talent and will be led by Liege-Bastogne-Liege winner Wout Poels, with Olympic gold medallist Elia Viviani back in action for the first time since Rio and targeting the race’s sprint stages. Ian Stannard, who finished third in this year’s edition of Paris-Roubaix, makes his first appearance in Team Sky colours since the Tour de France, were he played a key role in Chris Froome’s victory. Ben Swift, Nicolas Roche and Danny van Poppel complete a strong team.
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Wout Poels – age 28 – Netherlands
Wout Poels leads Team Sky’s bid to win the Tour of Britain for the first time since Sir Bradley Wiggins claimed the title in 2013 and the Dutchman has history with the race. A two-time stage winner, first in 2010, and then in 2015 atop Hartside Fell, Poels finished second overall last year – and he’s hoping to go one better after a hugely successful 2016.
Ian Stannard – age 29 – Great Britain
Ian Stannard is no stranger to the Tour of Britain having started the last three editions and he will relish the opportunity to race on home roads once again. The Classics powerhouse, fresh from playing his part in another Tour de France winning team, will provide invaluable support and experience both on and off the bike.
Ben Swift – age 28 – Great Britain
After an injury-hit mid-season Ben Swift bounced back to form and fitness at both the Arctic Race and Tour du Poitou-Charentes, putting in a strong climbing performance on the queen stage in Norway, before sprinting to an impressive second place on the final day in France. The versatile Yorkshireman will be right in the mix on home roads.
Nicolas Roche – age 32 – Ireland
Nicolas Roche was sadly forced to miss the Vuelta a Espana through illness, but the Irishman will be a vital cog in our Tour of Britain team, and he’s already excelled once in Britain this season, finishing second overall at the Tour de Yorkshire.
Danny van Poppel – age 23 – Netherlands
Danny van Poppel will arrive in Glasgow in fine form, following stage wins at the Vuelta a Burgos and Arctic Race, plus a strong performance at Cyclassics Hamburg. The young Dutchman sprinted to stage two at the Tour de Yorkshire in May and he’ll be hopeful of more impressive showings as his successful first season with Team Sky draws to a close.
Elia Viviani – age 27 – Italy
Elia Viviani is back in road action for the first time since he won gold at the Omnium in the Rio Olympics as he builds up to the Road World Championships in October. Looking to pick up some form on the road before heading to Qatar, the Italian would love to add to his haul of four Tour of Britain stage wins – including an impressive three in 2015.
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