Cycling: Henderson denied Tour spot again

Top New Zealand professional cyclist Greg Henderson is bitterly disappointed his British Team Sky have left him out of their nine-man roster for next month's Tour de France for the second year in a row.

Henderson, who has been targetting a Tour de France ride since turning professional in 2002, said on his Twitter account: after the Sky team was revealed last night: "Obviously gutted to miss tour again. Not sure what I have to do to make the line up."

Henderson has performed well this season, starting with a strong effort for Sky in the Tour Down Under in Australia.

He won a stage in the Paris-Nice classic and in the Tour of California in recent months but appears to have been overlooked in favour of 23-year-old British sprinter Ben Swift, who will be making his debut in the event.

The Sky team will be led by British rider Bradley Wiggins.

Wiggins, gunning to become the first Briton to finish on the podium after claiming fourth in 2009, will be assisted by climbers Xabier Zandio of Spain, Rigoberto Uran of Colombia and Simon Gerrans of Australia when the race starts on July 2 in western France.

Norwegian prodigy Edvald Boasson Hagen, who proved instrumental in Wiggins' winning ride in the Criterium du Dauphine earlier this month, was also included in the nine-man squad.

German Christian Knees, Geraint Thomas of Wales, Spaniard Juan Antonio Flecha and Swift completed the line-up.

"There is a great blend of experience and youth in our squad," team principal Dave Brailsford said in a statement.

"We have a really exciting team that can't wait for July 2."

Swede Thomas Lofkvist, who was Team Sky's top finisher in the Tour last year when he took 17th place, was left out of the squad.

- NZPA