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Team Sky has named its selection for the Tour Down Under, with Geraint Thoma🎶s and debutant Sergio Henao leading the line in the race, which takes place from January 19-24.

As usual, Sky will send a solid delegation from its Classics squad to the Tour Down Under, and Thomas will be joined in Australia by Ben Swift, Luke Rowe, Ian Stannard and 💫Salvatore Puccio. The line-up is completed by British champion Pete Kennaugh, who returns after making his Tour Down Under debut in 2015.

"We have lots of quality riders in this line-up,” said Sky directeur sportif Kurt Arvesen. “This gives us great options and we're confident of putting in another 💫strong team performance at this race. We can't wait to get the season started and we're look🎶ing forward to seeing our Australian fans on the roadside."

Sky have performed strongly at the past two Tours Down Under thanks to Richie Porte, who placed second overall in 2015 and 4th the previous season. With Porte now at BMC, Sky’s general classification challenge is likely to be led by Henao and by Thomas, who finished 3rd overall and helped himself to a stage win ﷽in 2013.

The seven-man Sky team for the Tour Down Under will a🔜lso take part in the People’s Choice Classic criterium in Adel🍬aide on January 17.

Team Sky for Tour Down Under: Sergio Henao (Col), Pete Kennaugh (GBr), Salvatore Puccio (Ita), Luke Rowe (GBr), Ian Stannard (GBr), Ben Swift (GB🐟r) and Geraint Thomas (GBr).