Jean-Christophe Peraud will line up in a professional bike race for the final time at the Vuelta a Espana. The 2014 Tour de France runner-up will retire after racing with AG2R La Mondiale in Spain and his team is hoping he will go out on a high note after an unlucky season. He sustained head injuries in crash early in the Giro d'Italia and then missed out on the Tour selection.
"I want him to have fun during this Vuelta," directeur sportif Julien Jurdie said. "It is important for him because he will retire from professional cycling after the race. However, the general classification remains his main objective. The Vuelta route meets his top 10 overall ambition. He has the right physical and mental abilities to challenge the GC contenders."
Peraud will be joined by a team of veterans and two Grand Tour rookies: sprinter Gediminas Bagdonas and Belgian Jan Bakelants boost the team's stage win possibilities, while Pierre Latour will look for a high position on the young rider classification.
ADVERTISEMENT
"He is just like Jean-Christophe's little brother," Jurdie said "As a rookie, he will ride his first Grand Tour ever. For sure, he will gain experience and try to reach the best overall position possible. It is difficult to have a specific plan on a three week race. However, he will fight for the young rider classification."
The team will field three Grand Tour newcomers: Francois Bidard, Latour and Quentin Jaurégui, while Domont races the Vuelta for the first time.
AG2R La Mondiale for the Vuelta a Espana: Gediminas Bagdonas, Jan Bakelants, François Bidard, Axel Domont, Quentin Jaurégui, Pierre Latour, Sébastien Minard, Jean-Christophe Péraud, Christophe Riblon
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest News http://ift.tt/2b3VnBM
No comments:
Post a Comment