A squad the size of Team Sky can afford to keep a lot of riders on its payroll, and with the Tour de France not far away a good proportion of them will be hoping to get the call up to ride in support of team leader Chris Froome.
Now with the Tour de Suisse and Route du Sud over only the riders' respective National Championships stand between the them and a slot on the final nine man team.
Not that results at the National Champs will make a huge difference anyway. In all likelihood team boss David Brailsford already has his picks pencilled in.
But who might they be?
Chris Froome (GBr)
The entire squad is built around the team leader and defending champion, meaning his inclusion isn’t in doubt. The rest of the riders will be entirely subservient to the aim of Froome gaining a fourth win, although one reserve contender will likely also be kept up the General Classification.
Michał Kwiatkowski (Pol)
Michal Kwiatkowski has had a fantastic Classics season winning Milan–San Remo and Strade Bianche. He’s previously supported Froome at several Grand Tours and was spotted recointering key stages in the Alps alongside the team leader.
Peter Kennaugh (GBr)
Peter Kennaugh won Stage 7 at the Critérium du Dauphiné riding alongside Froome, in the race considered the traditional warm up to the Tour.
His win on Alpe d’Huez shows he’s in great form and was another part of Froome’s recent four man recce group.
Christian Knees (Ger)
Knees is difficult to assess. Employed by Team Sky as a pure domestique his work often goes unrecognised. Present at the Dauphiné, and spotted alongside Froome, Kwiatkowski and Kennaugh in the Alps he looks to be in the mix.
Wout Poels (Ned)
Wout Poels played a key supporting role in Froome’s victory last year, however this season he’s struggled with injury. Returning at the recent Route du Sud, he told reporters he’s confident of a spot on the Tour team.
Sergio Henao (Col)
A win at the Paris-Nice stage race early in the year will count in the Colombian national champion’s favour. As one of Team Sky’s climbing specialists he should help provide cover in the mountains.
Luke Rowe (GBr)
The Welsh rider has ridden in support of Froome at the last two editions of the race. He’s had a quiet season so far and didn't have the Spring campaign he would have hoped.
Although included in the Dauphiné squad he wasn’t seen training alongside Froome in the Alps, despite having no racing commitments at the time.
Ian Stannard (GBr)
Still to compete at the British National Champs later this month, Stannard hasn’t had the most successful season so far. However, he’s a well proven powerhouse of a rider, and that ability might mean he still makes the selection.
He rode both the Dauphiné and Route du Sud so he'll have good legs if he gets the call up.
Geraint Thomas (GBr)
A potential GC man in his own right, Thomas is likely to be a protected rider. Having been Team Sky’s man at the Giro d'Italia he showed great form, before withdrawing following a crash. His early exit from the Giro should leave him fresher for the Tour.
Mikel Nieve (Esp)
The climber has been fairly anonymous up until now. At the recent Tour de Suisse he rode consistently, if not spectacularly.
Still, given the amount of climbing included in this year’s Tour he may get the call in order to bolster the team’s strength in the mountains.
Team Sky (GBr) - full roster
Ian Boswell (USA)
Philip Deignan (Irl)
Jonathan Dibben (GBr)
Owain Doull (GBr)
Kenny Elissonde (Fra)
Chris Froome (GBr
Tao Geoghegan Hart (GBr)
Michal Golas (Pol)
Sebastian Henao (Col)
Sergio Henao (Col)
Beñat Intxausti (Spa)
Peter Kennaugh (GBr)
Vasil Kiryienka (Blr)
Christian Knees (Ger)
Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol)
Mikel Landa (Spa)
David López (Spa)
Gianni Moscon (Ita)
Mikel Nieve (Spa)
Wout Poels (Hol)
Salvatore Puccio (Ita)
Diego Rosa (Ita)
Luke Rowe (GBr)
Ian Stannard (GBr)
Geraint Thomas (GBr)
Danny van Poppel (Ned)
Elia Viviani (Ita)
Lukasz Wisniowski (Pol)
Photos: Offside / Presse Sports