French teams for Tour Down Under

Cofidis and Française des Jeux announced their line-ups for the Tour Down Under, January 18 to 25. David Moncoutié, who has ridden the Australian stage race every year since 2000, will lead Cofidis.

"This year Moncoutié finished first in the mountains classification of the Vuelta a España, making him a rider to watch during the Skoda King of the Mountain climbs," said race director Mike Turtur. Cofidis is also sending Mickaël Buffaz, who last year finished fifth overall.

Française des Jeux will look to repeat its overall team classification title, with Turtur saying he expected "a competitive team performance."

The team will consist of Mickaël Chérel, Rémy Di Gregorio, Timothy Gudsell, Yauheni Hutarovich, Yoann Offredo, Jérémy Roy and Wesley Sulzburger.

Cofidis is sending Moncoutié, Buffaz, Alexandre Usov, Guillaume Blot, Florent Brard, Julien El Farès and Rein Taaramae. (SW)