Defending champion Froome will be seeking a fourth straight Grand Tour win when he starts the gruelling race on Saturday.
On Monday, the UCI cleared him of any wrongdoing over his positive test for an asthma drug at last September’s Vuelta a España which he won. Froome, 33, was also victorious in the Giro d’Italia in May while the investigation was continuing.
“The last twelve months have been the hardest but also the most incredible of my career,” Froome said in a statement. “I have never started the Tour de France after riding the Giro d’Italia and it has meant a completely different approach to my season.”
However, he said he had learnt a lot from riding the Spanish event straight after the Tour de France last year.
Froome is looking to emulate Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain as a five-time Tour de France winner.
“I’m under no illusion about the challenge, but I am feeling ready and I couldn’t ask for a better team to support me,” Froome added. “This is the biggest race in the year, in front of the most passionate cycling fans, and I can’t wait to get racing.”
SBS will broadcast the Tour de France live in HD from 7-29 July.
He will be supported by team-mates Egan Bernal, Jonathan Castroviejo, Michal Kwiatkowski, Gianni Moscon, Wout Poels, Luke Rowe and Geraint Thomas.
“We have chosen the Team to support him that we believe is best equipped to meet the demands of this year’s race," Team Sky's David Brailsford said. "It is a team of real versatility and one that balances youth with experience. We are really proud that Gianni Moscon and Egan Bernal will be making their Tour de France debuts with us.
"They are both very talented bike riders and will have a lot to offer. It is also fantastic that Luke Rowe will be riding the Tour again as our road captain after his serious accident last summer. It is a testament to his ability and determination that he has come back so strongly."
