Bradley Wiggins’ preparations for the Tour de France have suffered another setback, with a knee injury preventing him from training fully.

Team Astana have unveiled their new line-up for 2012, headed up by former Vuelta a Espana champion Alexandre Vinokourov and 2010 Dauphine Libere winner Janez Brajkovic.

In the lead-up to the FBD Insurance Rás which starts on Sunday May 23 and runs until Sunday May 30, breakingnews.ie gives you a run-down of the basics of professional cycling.

Nicolas Roche, son of 1987 champion Stephen, will today become the first Irishman to compete in the Tour de France since Mark Scanlon took part in the world-famous race five years ago.