Press releases

Issy-les-Moulineaux, 3^rd of May 2007

ON YOUR MARKS, GET READY… SPRINT!

The organisers have unveiled the details of the course of the 61^st edition of the Tour de Picardie that will take place from the 18^th to the 20^th of May. After the last few classics of the season, the riders and especially the sprinters of the pack will start a new period of preparation before the long summer stage races of the year. The Tour de Picardie offers a precious opportunity to test on long flat stages. The most solid attackers can give it a go but it's often difficult to outsmart the plans of the sprinter's teams.

THE FAVOURITES OF THE 19 TEAMS

Belgium
Chocolade Jacques Topsport : Eeckhout (BEL)
Jartazi Promo Fashion : Tombak (EST)
Landbouwkrediet - Tonissteiner : Boucher (FRA)
Predictor-Lotto : Hoste, Van Avermaet (BEL)
Quick Step - Innergetic : Hulsmans, Van Petegem (BEL)

United States
Team Slipstream : Johnson (AUS), Patour (FRA)

France
AG2R Prevoyance : J-P.Nazon (FRA), Elmiger (SUI)
Agritubel : Feillu, Hervé (FRA)
Auber 93 : Brouzes (FRA)
Bouygues Telecom : Clerc (SUI), Haddou, Martias (FRA)
Bretagne - Armor Lux : Bonsergent (FRA)
Cofidis : Nuyens (BEL)
Credit Agricole : Renshaw (AUS)
Française des Jeux : Se.Chavanel (FRA), McGee (AUS)
Roubaix Lille Metropole : Brousse (FRA)

Great-Britain
Barloworld : Guidi (ITA), Hunter (AFS)

Ireland
Ceramica Panaria - Navigare : effectif non communiqué

Netherlands
Skil-Shimano : Tjallingii (HOL)

Switzerland
Team L.P.R. : Nardello (ITA)

THE STAGES

Friday 18^th of May, 1^st stage: Bohain-en-Vermandois > Albert (176 km)
Saturday 19^thof May, 2^nd stage: Airaines > Ribécourt-Dreslincourt (191 km)
Sunday 20^th of May, 3^rd stage: La Croix Saint Ouen > Soissons (93,5 km)
Sunday 20^th of May, 4^th stage: Belleu > Laon (91,5 km)

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