The 2010 Tour de France from July 3-25 will have 22 teams competing for the top prize in cycling, race organisers announced on Tuesday.
Among them will be the US Radioshack team of seven-time former tour winner Lance Armstrong and the recently-formed Sky team of Britain.
Australia's two-time runner-up Cadel Evans will get another shot after his new team BMC Racing received an invite into this year's event.
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Sky have built on Britain's track success at Beijing 2008 to create a talented roster headed by triple Olympic champion Bradley Wiggins, who was fourth in last year's race.
All 16 teams which form the ProTour circuit are included in the lineup along with six specially invited teams, which include Radioshack and Sky.
Last year's tour winner Alberto Contador of Spain will once again compete for the Astana team of Kazakhstan.
Asked whether the fact there were four US teams and one British team on the list this year indicated that increased efforts were being made to attract interest from English-speaking countries, tour chief Christian Prudhomme replied that "The Tour will always stay the Tour de France."
"It's the greatest cycle race in the world and there will be no turning our backs on the past.
"The race is becoming more international and that is only logical. In football, the best French players more often than not play for the top foreign clubs."
Dave Brailsford, team principal for Team Sky, said: "A place in the Tour has been a dream for so many of us for so long - now it's a reality.
"We will do everything we can to help create an exciting race with a group of highly talented and motivated riders who race to win.
"We are a rider-centred team and the riders must take the credit for getting us selected for this year's Tour de France through their fantastic early season performances.
"They are a fantastic bunch of guys and I know they will arrive in Rotterdam ready to give it their very best."
Wiggins, who was fourth in the 2009 Tour before signing for Team Sky in December, added: "As a team we are thrilled that we're going to compete in the biggest bike race in the world.
"I'm hugely proud to be in a British-based team taking on the Tour de France and I'm convinced we'll leave our mark."
The 22 teams designated to take part in the 2010 Tour de France:
ProTour Teams
AG2R-La Mondiale (FRA)
Astana (KAZ)
BBox Bouygues Telecom (FRA)
Caisse d'Epargne (ESP)
Cofidis (FRA)
Columbia (USA)
Euskaltel (ESP)
Francaise des Jeux (FRA)
Footon-Servetto (ESP)
Lampre (ITA)
Liquigas (ITA)
Milram (GER)
Omega Pharma-Lotto (BEL)
Quick Step (BEL)
Rabobank (NED)
Saxo Bank (DEN)
Special Invite Teams
Radioshack (USA)
Sky (GBR)
Katusha (RUS)
Garmin (USA)
Cervelo (SUI)
BMC (USA)
