Team Sky's Critérium du Dauphiné squad announcement takes one rider by surprise

Chris Froome will lead Team Sky at the Critérium du Dauphiné, which starts on Sunday, and he has a strong supporting cast around him

Ian Boswell signs on for Stage 6 of the 2015 Tour of Langkawi

(Image credit: Watson)

Chris Froome will have to beat the likes of Vincenzo Nibali, Alejandro Valverde and Joaquim Rodriguez if he is to win a second Critérium du Dauphiné, but he will have a strong squad to support him over the eight stages.

Fellow Brits Peter Kennaugh, Luke Rowe and Ian Stannard will help out, as will the Irish duo of Philip Deignan and Nicolas Roche. Ian Boswell and Wout Poels round out the eight man squad.

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Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.