Chris Froome excited by 2016 Tour de France route

Chris Froome is looking forward to testing himself at the 2016 Tour de France after the official route was confirmed on Tuesday.

The Team Sky rider will look to retain the yellow jersey next year after claiming victory on the Champs-Elysees in Paris in July by one minute and 12 seconds from Movistar's Nairo Quintana.

Mont-Saint-Michel will host the 2016 Grand Depart on July 2, before the race moves south to the Pyrenees and then onto the Alps.

"It is a great route, very well balanced," he told Sky Sports News. "It will take a winner who can do everything.

"There are challenging climbs, two tough time trials, and a first week with cross winds so it will be critical to have team to get you through those stages. It is going to test every aspect of cycling.

"I know a few of the climbs, but also new climbs we've not seen before, so we have got to get out there and do a bit more recon to see what we're up against."

Froome has highlighted the Tour's two time trials - one of which comes in the mountains - as key to his chances of a third title.

He added: "They are tough time trials, not flat by any means. It is something I have to work on because I think they will be a pivotal point in next year's tour."