Sole French ProTeam sending almost completely French team to first World Tour race
The AG2R La Mondiale team has announced its seven man roster for the Santos Tour Down Under, which starts in a little over six weeks time, according to wielerflits.nl. The sole remaining French ProTeam will start the first ever event in the International Cycling Union (UCI) World Tour with six Frenchmen and one Belgian. The team has a close affinity with the Australian race, having won with Simon Gerrans in 2006, and Martin Elmiger in 2007.
Both Gerrans and Elmiger are elsewhere now though, and so the French team is sending a very youthful line up to the race, with appropriately named former French champion Dimitri Champion the oldest rider at 27 year of age.
With the race often decided among the sprinters the team lacks a big name, but will undoubtedly be present in as many of the race’s moves as possible. The first race of the year also gives new signings Matthieu Perget, Mickaël Chérel and Steve Houanard a chance to impress their new boss.
The race begins with the Cancer Council Classic criterium in downtown Adelaide on Sunday Janurary 16th, followed by six stages within a stones throw of the city in the South Austalian countryside. The race is popular with the riders as, not only are the weather conditions usually perfect, but because all of the stages are within easy reach of the city of Adelaide they can stay at the same hotel for the entire race.
AG2R La Mondiale for the Santos Tour Down Under:
Dimitri Champion, Kristof Goddaert, Blel Kadri, Julien Loubet, Matthieu Perget, Mickaël Chérel and Steve Houanard