Sergio Henao is set to return to the peloton as Team Sky continue a packed month of racing at Settimana Coppi e Bartali and E3 Harelbeke.

Run in parallel to the ongoing Volta a Catalunya, the two contrasting tests will see a further 15 riders in action as Team Sky aim to continue their recent momentum.

One of those riders is Henao, who lines up at Coppi e Bartali in his first race since suffering a serious knee injury at the Tour de Suisse in June last season. The Italian stage race crams five tests into four days (26-29 March), with stages to suit climbers, sprinters and TT specialists alike.

A well-rounded squad is required, with Ian Boswell, Philip Deignan, Nathan Earle, Kanstantsin Siutsou, Ben Swift, Chris Sutton and Henao taking the start.

Team Sky dominated the Italian event during their debut in 2014, winning four out of the five stages en route to a 1-2 overall finish for Pete Kennaugh and Dario Cataldo.

“I’m ecstatic to be back racing and to be able to return to this level,” Henao told TeamSky.com.

“I want to thank the team for its incredible support as well as my family, my girlfriend and all my friends who have been there for me.

“I feel ready to come back. I want to make the most out of this opportunity and I want to repay the team for its trust and dedication in helping me. I am excited to get started and I want to return to winning races in the future.”

Team Sky Team Principal Dave Brailsford added: “The whole team is incredibly happy to see Sergio return to racing. The amazing resilience he has shown in coming back from such a significant injury has inspired everyone.

“This race is the next step for Sergio in his recovery plan. He’s under no pressure to perform and the key for him is to get back into the rhythm of racing in the peloton.”

Exciting team for E3

The cobbled classics resume on Friday (27 March) with a formidable test in the shape of E3 Harelbeke.

Featuring many of the same roads and hellingen as the upcoming Tour of Flanders, E3 should provide a great indicator of form, with WorldTour points upping the stakes further.

Team Sky will look to continue an impressive start to the classics, with Bernhard Eisel, Andy Fenn, Christian Knees, Salvatore Puccio, Luke Rowe, Ian Stannard, Geraint Thomas and Elia Viviani the men tasked with taming E3.

Squad selection for Sunday’s Gent-Wevelgem will be confirmed from the team’s long list following the outcome of E3 Harelbeke.