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 The pair have a frosty relationship, and recent speculation has
suggested that Wiggins, who was unable to defend his crown last year
due to injury, may fail to make Sky's Tour de France squad despite
the 34-year-old saying he was happy to play second-fiddle.
Froome will defend his title at the Criterium du Dauphine, which
starts on Sunday and is seen as a major marker ahead of the Tour de
France, while Wiggins, who won the Tour of California last month,
will start the Tour de Suisse which begins six days later.
"Both the Criterium du Dauphine and Tour de Suisse are WorldTour
events and we are looking to perform in both races," Sky principal
Dave Brailsford said on the team website (www.teamsky.com).
"Bradley heads to Switzerland with a strong team after a great win
in California and we've got the right group for the Dauphine,
especially considering the nature of the course."
Froome will be supported by Richie Porte, Vasil Kiryienka, David
Lopez, Mikel Nieve, Danny Pate, Geraint Thomas and Xabier Zandio in
a squad that is expected to be strong in the mountains, while
Wiggins will team up with Joe Dombrowski, Christian Knees, Luke
Rowe, Dario Cataldo, Philip Deignan, Ben Swift and Pete Kennaugh.
"Both of these races will form part of our selection for the Tour"
Brailsford added.
"We have to name 13 riders in a long list during June and we'll do
that from across the squad, including riders at the Route du Sud,
not only those in the Dauphine and Tour de Suisse groups."
Sky are aiming for a fourth consecutive Dauphine title.
Kenya-born Froome suggested on Monday that he would prefer
Australian Porte as his number two as he seeks to defend his Tour de
France yellow jersey.
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"Talking about a Plan B, that's a decision the team needs to come
to, and Bradley has been talking about playing a support role, not
being our Plan B as such," Froome, 29, told the Daily Mirror
newspaper.
"Richie is looking pretty good at the moment and has the potential
to be riding for a place on the podium.
"As far as Bradley is concerned, the final nine riders selected to
start the race in Yorkshire is a hot topic.
"That's going to come down to what is best for the team, who is best
for each role and the team dynamics."
Porte, 29, played a key support role in Froome's Tour de France
victory, acting as his main climbing deputy in the major mountain
stages.
(Reporting by Josh Reich; editing by Amlan Chakraborty)
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