Thomas Voeckler to lead the French team at UCI Road World Championships
Laurent Jalabert, the French National team selector has not yet revealed the final squad for the UCI Road World Championships. However, it has been reported by L’Equipe that Thomas Voeckler will be leading the squad at the coming race.
It has also been revealed that Sylvain Chavanel will be included in a nine-man squad with a possible inclusion of Yohann Gene and Vincent Jerome, as requested by Voeckler himself.
While most of the cyclists have chosen the Vuelta a Espana to warm up ahead of the Worlds, Thomas has decided to ride the Canadian events scheduled later this month.
The 33-year-old won the GP Quebec in 2010 and is optimistic to secure the top podium spot at the coming race scheduled on September 7th, 2012.
GP Montreal is scheduled after a gap of one day, on September 9th, 2012 and the cyclist hopes to find the right form at both the races which will eventually help him through the Championships.
"The two Canadian races will give me a clear indication of my form. I've got a plan in my head and hope it all comes together," he said in a recent interview on the website of Colnago.
Thomas’ victories in the current season include a first place finish at the Brabantse Pijl and he also managed to claim a stage at the La Tropicale Amissa Bongo 2012.
The cyclist finished fourth during the Liege-Bastogne-Liege, fifth overall at the Four Days of Dunkirk and the Amstel Gold Race and occupied the eighth overall position at the Tour of Flanders 2012.
The cyclist has been out of action since the Tour de France and has spent most of his time with the family.
"Other riders in my situation would have taken more advantage but I didn't want to tire myself out," Voeckler pointed out.
"I know that it's probably 99 percent sure that my career will end without me ever pulling on the rainbow jersey but I also know that if I don't give it everything to try. I'll never know if I'm able to turn that one percent into success".
It will be interesting to see how Voeckler leads the French side at the coming race as the selectors have plenty of expectations from him to return home with the rainbow jersey.
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