SEMUR-EN-AUXOIS, France (AFP) - French outfit Cofidis on Saturday announced that Sylvain Chavanel would lead its team, which includes four Tour novices, at next month's Tour de France.
Cofidis has placed its faith in the four Tour new boys - including last-minute call-up Herve Duclos-Lassalle - in a team made up of seven Frenchmen and two foreigners.
"It is a young team with four riders who will be discovering the Tour de France for the first time," said team manager Eric Boyer.
"Some will say this is too much but I think they are ready and that they will handle the fact that the Tour has another dimension than other courses. They will not be perturbed by that."
He added: "It is a team formed to win stages and has no ambition in winning the overall race."
Frenchman Chavanel, 28, has won six times this season, including the fifth stage of the Tour of Catalonia last month.
The Tour de France runs from July 5 to 27.
Cofidis team for the Tour de France:
Sylvain Chavanel (FRA), Stephane Auge (FRA), Florent Brard (FRA), Herve Duclos-Lassalle (FRA), Samuel Dumoulin (FRA), Leonardo Duque (COL), David Moncoutie (FRA), Amael Moinard (FRA), Maxime Monfort (BEL)
Comment 1 - 4 of 4
For the Tour de france, Experience does matters most. If Confidis just want to win races, not the overall around,, i think it's a cheap shot. Always aim for the higher ground. It will motivate the team more against the oddest odds of all.
The Team might be good enough for a stage victory but thats it.
but in reality, what chance do they really have in winning any of the classiments in paris, considering their mellow team and inexperience. although i think like last year we will see alot of chavanel and Auge in the first week.
Dont write this team off - I like the line up and philosophy.
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