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95th Tour de France - GT

France, July 5-27, 2008

Tour de France teams presentation: new teams and missing winners

By Gregor Brown

Luxembourg's Andy Schleck of Team CSC-Saxo Bank
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
(Click for larger image)

The Tour de France presented the 20 teams of 180 riders who will take part in the three-week race when it departs Saturday from Brest. Of the teams presented Thursday evening, July 3, three of them have new names: USA's Teams Garmin Chipotle - H30 and Columbia, and Denmark's CSC-Saxo Bank. All three teams welcomed new financial backers and subsequent names changes – Slipstream Chipotle - H30, High Road and Team CSC, respectively.

Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme conducted the presentation under partly cloudy skies, with a slight wind coming off of the Brittany coast. "It is your turn to take up the challenge," said the Frenchman to the Bretons and other fans gathered. "The Tour belongs to you. I hope that you will show your enthusiasm in large numbers along the roads."

Missing from the riders presented is defending Tour de France winner Alberto Contador of Team Astana. The ProTour registered formation, thanks to issues related to the previous incarnation, was not invited to participate. Also in 1952 and 1974 – the other two departures from Brest – the defending winners (Hugo Koblet and Luis Ocaña) did not take part.

Spaniard Oscar Pereiro is the only former winner to race the 2008 edition. The 30 year-old will be helping Caisse d'Epargne team-mate Alejandro Valverde fight for the overall win.

One Australian who raced as an amateur in Nantes, finish of stage three, was given special attention. Simon Gerrans of Team Crédit Agricole was appointed "the most Breton rider of the Australians" by famous French announcer Daniel Mangeas. In addition to racing in a local club, Gerrans is also the winner of the Grand Prix de Plumelec-Morbihan, held where stage one finishes.

95th Tour de France - GT, France, July 5-27, 2008

Tour de France teams presentation: new teams and missing winners

Swiss Fabian Cancellara (CSC-Saxo Bank)
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
(Click for larger image)
USA's George Hincapie (Columbia)
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
(Click for larger image)
Adam Hansen displays the new Columbia jersey.
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
(Click for larger image)
Three-time World Champion Oscar Freire (Rabobank)
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
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Team Rabobank
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
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Quick Step
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
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German Champion Fabian Wegmann (Gerolsteiner)
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
(Click for larger image)
Luxembourg's Andy Schleck (CSC-Saxo Bank)
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
(Click for larger image)
Team Silence-Lotto
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
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The new Garmin Chipotle
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
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Robert Hunter (Barloworld) hopes to win a bunch sprint
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
(Click for larger image)
Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval)
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
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Andy and Fränk Schleck (Saxo Bank/CSC)
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
(Click for larger image)
Mauricio Soler (Barloworld)
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
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Valverde and Pereiro share a laugh
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
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Bjarne Riis was reinstated as 1996 Tour winner
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
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The Schleck brothers, Andy and Fränk
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
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Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) will take any opportunity
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
(Click for larger image)
Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne)
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
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Bjarne Riis, the Saxo Bank/CSC manager
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
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Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas)
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
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A strange spectacle for the team presentations
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
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Oscar Pereiro will work for Alejandro Valverde
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
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Damiano Cunego and Alessandro Ballan (Lampre)
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
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The Rabobank team
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini
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Mark Cavendish (Columbia)
Photo ©: AFP
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