The teams that will line up for the 2017 Etoile de Bessèges have been unveiled.
As in recent years, three WorldTour teams will tackle the five-day race, the French AG2R - La Mondiale and FDJ and Belgian Lotto Soudal. Nine pro continental formations will also be invited for a race that will mainly be made up of French and Belgian teams.
The race will have its well-known format with four road stages suited to the sprinters and the difficult final time trial in Ales. Last year Jerome Coppel won the race but as he has now retired, a new champion will be crowned.
Teams:
WorldTour: AG2R - La Mondiale, FDJ, Lotto Soudal
Professional Continental: Cofidis, Delko Marseille-Provence KTM, Direct Energie, Fortunéo Vital Concept, Caja Rural-Seguros RGA, Sport Vlaanderen, Verandas Willems-Crelan, Wanty-Groupe Gobert, WB Veranclassic Aqua Protect
Continental: Armee de Terre, HP BTP-Auber 93, Roubaix Lille Metropole, An Post-Chain Reaction, Roth-Akros
Course:
Wednesday, February 1: Stage 1, Bellegarde Beaucaire (158km)
Thursday, February 2: Stage 2: Nîmes-Rodilhan (152km)
Friday, February 3: Stage 3: Bessèges, Bessèges (152km)
Saturday, February 4: Stage 4: Chusclan -Laudun (153km)
Sunday, February 5: Stage 5: Time trial in Ales (12km)
23.07 - 28.07: Le Tour de Femina |
24.07 - 28.07: Tour Alsace |
25.07 - 28.07: Princess Anna Vasa Tour |
25.07 - 28.07: Czech Tour |
28.07: Puchar MON |
28.07: Gran Premio Sportivi Loria |
27.07 - 29.07: Kreiz Breizh Elites |
30.07: Kreiz Breizh Elites Féminin |
31.07: Trofee van Vlaanderen |
03.08: Olympic games - Men |
Dominik HÖDLMOSER 19 years | today |
Fathi BENNABI 34 years | today |
Ivan ALAKA 25 years | today |
Tatiana ANTOSHINA 42 years | today |
Tibor DEL GROSSO 21 years | today |
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