SKY HOPES STELLAR SQUAD WILL BANISH DARK CLOUDS

TEAM SKY has named a powerhouse squad to support Chris Froome, but they head to the Tour de France awaiting the result of a probe into allegations of impropriety.

Principal Sir Dave Brailsford expects a “hostile environment” at the roadside for his riders – none of whom feature in UK Anti-Doping’s inquiry into claims of wrongdoing by Team Sky and Sir Bradley Wiggins in 2011.

Brailsford said: “From an investigation point of view, we will wait for the outcome, but I’m very confident there’s been no wrongdoing.

“As far as the Tour de France goes, we’re very focused on the race. We’ve selected a strong line-up to support Chris and we’ll be looking to use that strength to our advantage.

“But we’ve got to remember that when we go to the Tour de France, every year it’s been a hostile environment for us and I expect it to be no different in that sense.”

Geraint Thomas and Luke Rowe complete the British trio in Sky’s squad, but there is no room for Dutchman Wout Poels, whose role of minder in the mountains was critical to Froome’s success last year.