London, Aug 19 (IANS): Cycling star Chris Froome has been dropped from Team Ineos' Tour de France squad. The four-time winner was doubtful after suffering injuries during a crash which took place an year ago.

"Chris needs that little bit longer to get to the highest level," team boss Dave Brailsford was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

"Chris is a true champion who has demonstrated incredible grit and determination to come back from his crash last year.

"We want to support him to compete for another Grand Tour title and the Vuelta gives him that little bit more time to continue his progress to the top level," he added.

Geraint Thomas, who won in 2018, also has not been named as the team focuses on last year's winner Egan Bernal and 2019 Giro d'Italia victor Richard Carapaz.

Thomas, 34, will attempt to win his second Grand Tour in Italy, to be held in October.

"Geraint will target the Giro and take on the opportunity to double up his Tour de France win with another Grand Tour title, with the aim of being the first Welshman to win it," said Brailsford.

Team Ineos Tour de France squad: Egan Bernal, Richard Carapaz, Andrey Amador, Jonathan Castroviejo, Michal Kwiatkowski, Luke Rowe, Pavel Sivakov, Dylan van Baarle.