Friday 27 April 2018 12:48, UK
Chris Froome has been included in Team Sky's squad for the Giro d'Italia as he seeks to win his third successive Grand Tour.
The 32-year-old won the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana last year, and a maiden victory in the Giro would allow him to hold all three titles together for the first time.
Froome is joined in Team Sky's squad by Sergio Henao, Vasil Kiryienka and Christian Knees, all of whom supported Froome on the way to his fourth Tour de France win last year.
The four other riders included by Team Sky are David de la Cruz, Kenny Elissonde, Wout Poels and Salvatore Puccio.
Froome will compete in the Giro despite currently attempting to prove his innocence following a finding of elevated levels of salbutamol at last year's Vuelta.
As salbutamol - an asthma medication - is a specified substance, Froome is allowed to continue competing while he contests the finding.
After finishing fourth at the Tour of the Alps last week, Froome said: "The Giro is a whole new challenge for me and a new motivation for me too.
"It's a huge challenge to target the Giro d'Italia after winning the Tour and Vuelta last year and it's a huge motivation for me to go for my third consecutive Grand Tour win."
The Giro begins in Jerusalem on May 4 and ends in Rome on May 27.
