Moreau swansong with Agritubel

French veteran Christophe Moreau will headline Agritubel in what’s expected to be his final Tour de France.

The 38-year-old Moreau will anchor an Agritubel team that brings a mix of youth and experience that will be on the hunt for stage victories and perhaps a spell in one of the jersey for Moreau’s exit.

“This is Christophe’s last Tour and he wants to make an impression. He’s not thinking about the GC, but would rather win a big stage or perhaps take the climber’s jersey,” said sport director Denis Leproux. “The rest of the team is full of attackers. We want to be in the breakaways and liven up the sprints.”

Moreau is the last active rider from the infamous Festina team that was the center of the so-called Festina Affaire doping scandal that almost derailed the 1998 Tour. A police bust revealed widespread doping within the French team and forced the team’s humiliating exit from the race.

Moreau served a six-month ban and returned to the Tour in 1999. He finished a career-best fourth overall in 2000 and won the opening prologue to claim the maillot jaune in 2001.

In 2007, Moreau won the Dauphiné Libéré, but pulled out of the past two editions of the Tour.

Joining Moreau will be former Tour stage-winner Sylvain Calzati and Romain Feillu, who wore the yellow jersey last year. Younger brother Brice Feillu also was selected.

Riders such as David Le Lay and Nicolas Vogondy will have a free hand to attack when they have the legs.

Agritubel for Tour de France

• Maxime Bouet (Fra)
• Sylvain Calzati (Fra)
• Brice Feillu (Fra)
• Romain Feillu (Fra)
• Eduardo Gonzálo (Spa)
• Geoffroy Lequatre (Fra)
• David La Lay (Fra)
• Christophe Moreau (Fra)
• Nicolas Vogondy (Fra)

FILED UNDER: News / Road / Tour de France TAGS: Tour de France