Road Season Preview 2004
January 19, 2004
Crédit Agricole
Crédit Agricole presentation
French Division I team Crédit Agricole has presented a substantially revamped
roster to tackle the 2004 racing season. 10 new riders have been signed by the
team, which has lost big hitters Stuart O'Grady and Jens Voigt, among others.
The acquisition of New Zealand sprinter Julian Dean, French all rounder Patrice
Halgand, Russian climber Alexandre Botcharov, British track world champion Bradley
Wiggins, French sprinter Damien Nazon and Kazakhs Dmitriy Muravyev and Andrey
Kashechkin will strengthen the team that already boasts Christophe Moreau and
Thor Hushovd in its ranks.
Hushovd will be the team's leader for the classics, and also wants to contest
the green jersey at the Tour de France. Moreau is the team's main GC rider,
while the arrival of Dean and Nazon will certainly bolster Crédit Agricole's
sprinting stocks.
"Our calendar is centred on the Tour de France," team manager Roger Legeay
told the press. "But we are also interested in the other French stage races
and the Coupe de France races."
Crédit Agricole will sponsor the team until at least the end of 2005, but
is so far extremely happy with the level of exposure that cycling has brought
it.
Credit Agricole team roster
Cruising
with Crédit Agricole
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