Elmiger to defend Tour Down Under crown

Swiss rider Martin Elmiger will defending his Tour Down Under crown this month, after being named in AG2r - La Mondiale's roster for the Australian race. The 29 year-old rider claimed a narrow victory over Australia's Karl Menzies at last year's event, however the AG2r team will face increased competition at this year's race, after the South Australian event was named as the ProTour's first non-European round.

The defending champion's team will also bring Tour de France stage winner Sylvain Calzati, French youngster Stéphane Poulhiès and Ukrainian climber Yuriy Krivtsov to the stage race, which starts unofficially on January 20 with a pre-race criterium.

Meanwhile, local broadcaster SBS has announced it will air daily highlights packages from the race. The free-to-air network will screen a half hour package at 6:00 PM from January 22 - 27.

AG2r - La Mondiale for TDU: Sylvain Calzati, Renaud Dion, Martin Elmiger, Yuriy Krivtsov, Laurent Mangel, Lloyd Mondory and Stéphane Poulhiès.