PARIS, Aug 9, 2011 (AFP) – Japanese rider Yukihiro Doi was selected in the Skil-Shimano team on Tuesday for the forthcoming Tour of Spain which will be his first participation in one of the three major tour races.

The 27-year-old – who has been with the team since 2006 – is one of five riders to be set to ride in their first major Tour, which gets underway in Bendidorm on August 20.

The team said in a statement that they were hoping for a stage win either in a mass sprint or an escape.

German Marcel Kittel would fancy his chances of fulfilling that ambition as he comes off a highly successful Tour of Poland where he won four stages.

Team
Marcel Kittel (GER), Johannes Frohlinger (GER), Simon Geschke (GER), Tom
Veelers (NED), Albert Timmer (NED), Koen de Kort (NED), Roy Curvers (NED),
Yukihiro Doi (JPN), Alexandre Geniez (FRA)