The Australian registered outfit had always signalled Adam Yates as their best option to make the podium so all that was left to decide was the support required to make that a reality.
Yates failed to deliver in 2018 after a breakthrough 2016 where he was just off the podium. After a solid run up the 2019 Tour he may be in line for a redemptive run - both for him and the team which came away without a result.
“The Tour this year is a tough one, especially towards the end of the race," Yates said. "I checked out stages 18, 19, 20 just before Dauphine and three stages like that back-to-back at the very end of the race will be sure to have some fireworks.
"Not only that, but there are some real tricky stages like stage six to Planche des Belles Filles, which I know quite well from when I raced for CC Etupes and lived in France. So overall a very tough route with some challenging terrain."
Among the riders selected was twin brother Simon fresh from a perhaps disappointing 8th place at the Giro d'italia after a comprehensive victory at the 2018 Vuelta a España.
Joining the brothers will be Australian super domestique Jack Haig in his Tour debut. He will hit the start in Brussels with excellent form after finishing fourth overall at this year’s Paris-Nice.
"His climbing talents will become even more valuable in the crucial backend of the race," Team boss Matt White said of Haig.
"He has done a few Grand Tours with the team but this will be his first Tour de France and it will be a great opportunity for him to gain experience on the biggest stage there is in our sport.
Australians Luke Durbridge and Michael Hepburn along with Dane Chris Juul-Jensen, South African Daryl Impey and Italian Matteo Trentin will provide veteran muscle on the dangerous flat stages and horsepower in the team time trial.
“Our primary goal is to give Adam Yates every chance possible to arrive on the podium come Paris, but our secondary goal is also to win a stage," White said.
“We have a good combination of riders who can help achieve those goals, and to get a result as a key GC rider, you are very much reliant on the strength of the team.
"If we can continue to support Adam as we did Simon at the Giro then this will only enhance Adam’s chances of a solid result."
Mitchelton-Scott for the 2019 Tour de France
Adam Yates, Simon Yates, Jack Haig, Luke Durbridge, Michael Hepburn, Chris Juul-Jensen, Daryl Impey and Matteo Trentin.
