Fabio Aru may have never ridden the Tour de France before, but the 25 year old Italian will still be mentioned as a winner candidate when he starts the race next year after the Vuelta winner saw a tough course announced for 2016.

“The route looks good. It’s tough. There are two time trials but they’re pretty tough,” Aru told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Next year I want to do well but I’ll tackle the Tour without pressure on my shoulders,” he told the ANSA news agency. “I know I’m okay on the climbs, I’ve improved at time trialing. That means that even if I could be making my debut at the Tour, I think I can do something.” 

Aru has won five Grand Tour stages and will look to join the club of winners in all three Grand Tours next year.