Agritubel 1-2 in Classic Loire-Atlantique

Agritubel went one-two in the ninth Classic Loire-Atlantique in France on Friday just a day after learning it was going back to the Tour de France.

Mikel Gaztanaga, 27, slipped away in a 20km breakaway that held on until the end to keep the race trophy on the team’s shelf. Agritubel won last year with Nicolas Jalabert.

Teammate Jimmy Casper came through second while Frédéric Finot (Differdange-Apiflo Vacances) took third at eight seconds adrift.

Agritubel was one of three wild cards invited to the 2008 Tour. It will be the team’s third consecutive Tour appearance.

FILED UNDER: Road