Aussie Tour de France contingent reaches double figures as Rohan Dennis wins spot

ADELAIDE'S Rohan Dennis has capped an extraodinary year by winning Tour de France selection in his rookie season.

Rohan Dennis

ADELAIDE'S Rohan Dennis has capped an extraodinary year by winning Tour de France selection in his rookie season.

An Olympic track silver medallist in London last year, Dennis has been chosen in Garmin-Sharp's team for the centenary Tour de France, starting in Corsica on Saturday.

His selection increases Australia's representation in the world's most famous race to 10.

Dennis clinched his berth in Jonathan Vaughters' team with a string of excellent efforts, none more impressive than claiming leadership of the Criterium du Dauphine, a key Tour lead-up.

Dennis won the Dauphine's best young rider category.

Renowned as an exceptional time-trialler, Dennis has completed a fairytale rise after repeatedly proving himself at the highest level this year.

Dennis, 23, switched from the track to the road this season.

The South Australian was named in support of Garmin Sharp's spearheads Ryder Hesjedal, Dan Martin and Andrew Talansky.

Dennis is viewed as crucial to team goals in next week's stage four time trial in Nice.

The other Australians confirmed are: Stuart O'Grady, Simon Gerrans, Simon Clarke, Cameron Meyer, Brett Lancaster, Matt Goss (Orica-GreenEDGE), Cadel Evans (BMC), Richie Porte (Sky), Michael Rogers (Saxo-Tinkoff), Adam Hansen (Lotto Belisol) and Dennis (Garmin-Sharp).