Froome leads Sky in Tour as Wiggins misses out

Overall winner Team Sky rider Chris Froome of Britain (C), runner-up BMC rider Tejay van Garderen of the U.S. (2nd L) and second runner-up Omega Pharma Quick-Step rider Rigoberto Uran of Columbia (R) celebrate on the podium after the Tour of Oman cycling race in Muscat February 23, 2014. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

LONDON (Reuters) - Defending champion Chris Froome will lead Team Sky's challenge for a third consecutive Tour de France crown but 2012 winner and fellow Briton Bradley Wiggins will not be part of the nine-man team named on Friday.

Wiggins had been widely tipped to miss selection in the squad and all but confirmed the decision after winning the British time-trial title on Thursday.