Owain Doull has laughed off finally being able to make his World Tour debut with Team Sky following an appendix operation.The Cardiff-born rider was due to make his bow at last month’s Tour Down Under but ended up in hospital in Adelaide.

Geraint Thomas has been backed to win the Giro d’Italia when he has his first crack at Grand Tour glory in May. Thomas’ Team Sky bosses insist they would not be attempting to win the three-week long race unless they felt the Cardiff-born rider had a real shout.

Owain Doull was pulled out of today’s People’s Choice Classic in Australia as a precaution after suffering with a stomach upset. The 50.5km race in Adelaide was a warm-up for the Tour Down Under which starts on Tuesday when the Welshman will make his World Tour debut with Team Sky.

Owain Doull is relishing the prospect of making his World Tour debut for Team Sky at the Tour Down Under. The Welshman will have key roles to play as Sky chase victory in the seven day race which starts on Sunday.

Owain Doull will make his World Tour debut for Team Sky after being named as one of three Welsh riders for the Tour Down Under. The 2016 Olympic pursuit champ will be joined by fellow Cardiff born riders Geraint Thomas and Luke Rowe in the six-day race which starts on January 17.

Geraint Thomas will become the first Welsh Olympian to compete at Rio 2016 on Saturday when he rides for Great Britain in the men’s road race. Thomas is one of 23 Welsh athletes at the Games – a number only surpassed by the 30 who competed in London four years ago.