Team Sky's Chris Sutton looking for a classic start to Tour Down Under

A FIT and firing Chris Sutton hopes Team Sky's Classics group can this week emulate the success of its Tour de France squad from last year.

A FIT and firing Chris Sutton hopes Team Sky's Classics group assembled in Adelaide this week can emulate the success of its Tour de France squad from last year.

The Tour Down Under is the start of the journey for Sutton and his six teammates, including fellow Aussie Matt Hayman, as they prepare for an all-out assault on the European spring.

The Vuelta a Espana stage winner, 28, has overcome a torrid 2012 which he described as the worst of his professional career, after being plagued by inflammation of his vertebrae.

"It was a huge relief after three months of trying to find out what the problem was," Sutton said.

"It was like 20 kilos came off my shoulders when I got that sorted with a lot of rehabilitation, exercises and physio."

The sprinter has been home since November and had four specialist appointments each week to keep his back in shape.

Finally pain-free, Sutton hopes the TDU is the start of something special this season.

"We've got a core Classics group trying to do what they (Sky) did for the Tour team with 15 or so guys," he said.

Sky Procycling has done reconnaissance of all six stages of the Tour, which starts in Prospect this morning.

Sutton said he would be helping Edvald Boasson Hagen target the overall victory.

"I'll be sprinting for Edvald tomorrow (Tuesday), bonus seconds in previous years have been pretty important," Sutton said.

CJ Sutton will write an exclusive daily column for The Advertiser during the Tour Down Under. His first column will appear tomorrow.