Chris Froome will start his season in Australia at the Herald Sun Tour. The Sky leader who takes aim for the win at the Tour de France and at the Rio Olympics, is scheduled to arrive in Adelaide on Monday

"He wanted to start later, and then we thought maybe throw in a smaller stage race. And he chose the Sun Tour", Sky DS Kurt-Asle Arvesen told Velonews. "He wanted to break up his training a little bit, and do a race without pressure. He will train here, and then he goes to the Sun Tour."

Geraint Thomas, Ian Standard and Salvatore Puccio, who are currently at the Tour Down Under, are selected for the Herald Sun Tour too.