Nicolas Roche will not ride in this year's Tour de France.

The son of 1987 winner Stephen Roche has been excluded from the Team Sky party, who are gunning for a fourth Tour victory.

It's the first time since 2009 that Roche will be absent from the race.

Defending champion Chris Froome will lead Team Sky's nine-person squad for cycling's pinnacle race.

"We have selected a talented group of riders with Chris as the leader once again. I know they will do everything they can to help him try to win yellow," said team principal Sir Dave Brailsford.