IRELAND’S NICOLAS ROCHE is a notable absetee as Team Sky announced their team for the 2016 Tour de France today.

Roche has taken part in the annual Tour every year since 2009, finishing in 12th in 2012. He was also recently named to compete in the road race at this summer’s Rio Olympics.

The 31-year-old left Tinkoff–Saxo to join Team Sky last year. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Defending champion Chris Froome will be joined by England’s Ian Stannard and two Welsh riders – Luke Rowe and Geraint Thomas – among others, in his bid for a third Tour de France title.

Sky’s Giro d’Italia leader Mikel Landa was also named on the team, alongside Sergio Henao, Vasil Kiryienka, Wout Poels and fellow Spaniard Mikel Nieve.

Team Sky will be aiming to win a fourth Tour de France. The 103rd Tour starts at Mount-Saint-Michael on 2 July and finishes in the French capital 22 days later.

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‘I think it’s disappointing as an Irishman’ – Ireland team captain Paul McGinley

‘To be taken seriously, you need to back it up and we didn’t do that’