Team Ag2r La Mondiale eyeing to mark its 15th Tour Down Under appearance
Team Ag2r La Mondiale is keeping its traditions alive by appearing at every Tour Down Under as they get ready to ride at this year’s UCI Inaugural event scheduled next month.
It will be the 15th consecutive race appearance for the French team since its inception in 1992 and it also holds the honour of claiming the maximum number of victories at the race.
Gilles Maignan helped the team with its first victory at the Australian race back in 2000 with Mikel Astarloza in 2003, Simon Gerrans in 2006 and Martin Elmiger succeeding at the 2007 version of the race.
Yauheni Hutarovich is expected to lead the team in the coming edition of the race, after the sprinter switched from Team FDJ.
"In 2012 I came close to a stage win and this year my goal is to achieve that, to get at least one stage victory," said Hutarovich.
"My experience in this race is an important asset and a stage win will help me to start the 2013 season well. That is very important for self-confidence".
The 29-year-old had a terrific current season and holds as many as 29 victories under his belt including two stages at the Tour de I’Ain 2012.
Mickael Cherel will fight for an overall classifications spot and he is eyeing to claim at least a top 10 spot after the final general classification.
"The main goal for us at the 2013 Santos Tour Down Under will be to get at least one rider in the top 10 overall. I know I'm able to achieve this goal and I'm preparing myself for that," said Cherel.
Davide Appollonio is the second big inclusion in the team and will be marking his first appearance away from the British outfit, Team Sky.
The six-day race is scheduled on January 20 in Adelaide Australia and winner of the race will be awarded with a 100 UCI points. The second and the third place finishers will receive 80 and 70 points respectively.
Simon Gerrans of Team Orica-GreenEdge succeeded during the 2012 edition of the race with Alejandro Valverde and Tiago Machado securing the second and the third positions respectively.
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