Team Sky have named their lineup for the year's Tour de France, which begins in Utrecht on Saturday. Chris Froome will be the leader and will try to claim a second yellow jersey in Paris on July 26. Dave Brailsford has predicted the Tour de France will be a "battle royale" between the Big Four: Alberto Contador, Vincenzo Nibali, Nairo Quintana and his leader.

"What we do have is a great competition on the horizon. We have got four of the world's best riders all going heat to head. It's the first time they are all going to be in top form at the Tour de France and it is hard to choose between them", he explained according to Skysports. "Alberto Contador, of the greatest general classification riders of the modern era, and Nairo Quintana is a brilliant climber, so he will come into his own in the second half of the race where it becomes very mountainous. They have all got different skill sets so it's setting up for a battle royal."

Brailsford also talked about the Tour de France route. "The race is basically two halves this year - there is the first half through Northern France and it starts in Holland and Belgium, which is more like a series of one day races, and that's where Nibali will be at his best." But he added that Froome is "probably the most complete". "He time trials really well, he wlimbs fantastically well. He is healthy, fit and hungry. Everything has fallen into place nicely for his assault on the Tour de France this year so it is exciting and we are ready to go."

Team Sky roster: Chris Froome, Peter Kennaugh, Leopold Konig, Wout Poels, Richie Porte, Nicolas Roche, Luke Rowe, Ian Stannard, Geraint Thomas.