Thursday, 21 June 2012:

Australian pair Michael Rogers and Richie Porte were named in the Team Sky line-up for this year's Tour de France on Thursday.

The duo will be charged with helping compatriot Cadel Evans' main rival for the Tour title, Bradley Wiggins, become the first British winner of the race.

Joining Wiggins, who has won the Paris-Nice, the Tour de Romandie and the Criterium du Dauphine stage races this year to establish himself as a leading contender for the yellow jersey, will be world champion Mark Cavendish, winner of 20 stages in the last four Tours.

"I'm really proud to be part of such a strong unit going into the Tour de France," Wiggins told teamsky.com.

"The team's preparation has been perfectly managed and our form this season gives us a great chance of being successful.

"I've been waiting for this moment for a long time and I'll do everything I can to win the Tour de France.

"Hopefully we can do the business for ourselves and our fans, and become the most successful British-based cycling team ever."

Team Sky's selection, which includes a third Briton in Chris Froome, suggests Wiggins' bid to become the first British winner of the Tour takes priority over Cavendish's defence of the points classification's green jersey.

"It's a dream to ride for a team that holds so much British interest and has a chance to win the yellow jersey," Cavendish said.

"I know the push for the GC (general classification) podium will make it more difficult for me to repeat the success I've enjoyed the last few years. But I'll compete and - as always - I'll dedicate myself to making it a successful Tour for Team Sky and, let's hope, for Britain."

Also named in the nine-man squad for the 99th edition of the Tour are Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen, winner of Team Sky's first Tour stages in 2011, Germany's Christian Knees, Kanstantsin Siutsou of Belarus and Austrian Bernhard Eisel.

Team Sky

Bradley Wiggins (GBR), Mark Cavendish (GBR), Chris Froome (GBR), Michael Rogers (AUS), Richie Porte (AUS), Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR), Bernhard Eisel (AUT), Kanstantsin Siutsou (BLR), Christian Knees (GER).

AAP