Swift named in Sky’s Tour de France line-up

Swift, 23, from Rotherham, has won five stages races this season.

He said: “Competing in the Tour de France is what every young rider dreams of and I’m really excited about the challenge ahead,” he said.

“The team is riding well and we can’t wait to get going against the world’s best riders.”

Sky’s race director Dave Brailsford said: “I am delighted that Ben Swift will be making his Tour debut.

“He is enjoying a breakthrough season with five wins already and he will absolutely thrive on this opportunity to test himself on the biggest stage of all.”

Wiggins, fourth in 2009 and 24th in 2010, will start the Tour in the Vendee region of western France on July 2 on the back of the biggest win of his road career at this month’s Dauphine Libere.

Thomas excelled in the 2010 Tour and was always likely to be selected.

The 23-year-old Rotherham rider is named in the nine-man squad alongside Edvald Boasson Hagen, Juan Antonio Flecha and Simon Gerrans, all of whom rode in Team Sky’s debut Tour last July.

Colombia’s Rigoberto Uran, who helped Wiggins in the mountains at the Dauphine, Xabier Zandio and German national champion Christian Knees - all winter recruits - have also been included.