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Ewan will be hunting for stage wins at the Tour and is in impressive form with a pair of stage wins at the Giro D’Italia last month and another two victories at last week’s Tour of Belgium.
The 26-year-old has won five stages in the past two tours and will be driven to make the most of the extra flat stages on this year’s route.
The bulk of the Lotto Soudal squad is devoted to Ewan’s lead-out train, with Roger Kluge, Jasper De Buyst, Tosh Van Der Sande and Harry Sweeny featuring.
Gilbert, De Gendt and Brent Van Moer will have the freedom to chase stage honours elsewhere during the race.
Ewan won’t be the only Australian kitting up for Lotto Soudal with 22-year-old Harry Sweeny making his Grand Tour debut at the Tour de France.
It is clear that Caleb Ewan is our absolute and rightful leader," Lotto Soudal general manager John Lelangue said when revealing the team.
"I think there are six to seven stages where the sprinters can battle for the stage win. Caleb’s trusted train, with Jasper De Buyst and Roger Kluge, was successfully extended with Tosh Van der Sande and Harry Sweeny at the Belgium Tour. This combination has already been successful at the UAE Tour.
"The other three places are taken by stage hunters. Philippe Gilbert, Thomas De Gendt and Brent Van Moer will be targeting stage wins in the non-sprinter stages. Like we know them: with panache and courage. We are heading to Brest full of motivation."
Lotto Soudal for the Tour de France
Jasper De Buyst (Bel)
Thomas De Gendt (Bel)
Caleb Ewan (Aus)
Philippe Gilbert (Bel)
Roger Kluge (Ger)
Harry Sweeny (Aus)
Tosh Van der Sande (Bel)
Brent Van Moer (Bel)
