Nibali: I doubt I'll ride 2015 Giro d'Italia

Vincenzo Nibali will be back to defend his Tour de France title when the race begins in Utrecht on July 4 and he admits he is unlikely to target a Giro-Tour double.

Nibali told cyclingnews.com: "I honestly don't think I'll do the Giro d'Italia.

"I said I'd do the Giro if I have to, but if I ride it, I want to ride it to win it.

"At Astana we've also got Fabio Aru, who is more suited to the Giro d'Italia than the Tour de France.

"And so if I ride the Giro, I'd overshadow him. So the team wants Aru to ride the Giro and I ride the Tour. I understand that choice."

While Froome hinted at frustration at the Tour omitting a long time-trial, Nibali is happy with the route.

"I like the route of the Tour de France because it's similar to this year's route but with even less time trialling," he added.

"I couldn't have asked for much more and the route was perhaps the final factor on deciding my goals for 2015 and again targeting the Tour de France."