Leading New Zealand road cyclist Julian Dean will compete in his fifth Tour de France next month, the most by any New Zealand rider.
The 34-year-old has been confirmed in the line up for his American owned team Garmin-Slipstream.
Dean will be the lead out rider for the team's up-and-coming American sprinter Tyler Farrar, the only rider to have edged renowned British sprinter Mark Cavendish in a sprint finish this season.
Dean says he's pleased with his form after the recent three-week Giro d'Italia.
He says last year he went into the race with an injury and struggled, but this year felt good at the end and testing has shown he's in top shape.
Dean says his team's stronger than last year and he's getting used to the lead out approach for Farrar, rather than the solo approach during his years with Credit Agricole.
Fellow Beijing Olympian Hayden Roulston is also hopeful of selection for the Tour with his Cervelo Test Team expected to name the final nine riders later this week.
