Angers and the Australians...

Angers also has a special place in the heart of a few Australian riders. Luke Durbridge of Orica-BikeExchange won the time trial of the Circuit de la Sarthe in Angers in 2012 and 2013. Some of his compatriots made the city of the dukes of Anjou their home in the early part of their career, notably Bradley McGee, the winner of the prologue of the 2003 Tour de France in Paris. The same goes for Simon Gerrans. The winner of the 2012 Milan-Remo and the 2014 Liège-Bastogne-Liège who had the yellow jersey of the Tour de France for two days in 2013 was a spectator at the finish of stage 6 in 2004 when Robbie McEwen had a crash and broke a collarbone before Tom Boonen claimed his first ever stage win. A few minutes after the race was concluded, Gerrans met Vincent Lavenu to secure his first pro contract with AG2R. He dreamt of coming back to Angers with the yellow jersey today but he finished 11th in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin yesterday. However, he has a yellow bib and a yellow helmet as he greatly contributed to Orica-BikeExchange lead in the teams competition.