Cycling News

28 March 2007

2007 will see the 76th edition of the prestigious Criterium International. 20 teams will start the race comprising of 11 ProTour teams, 8 Pro-Continental teams and 1 Continental team.

'The Critérium International's winners' list also illustrates, in the form of a nearly comprehensive list of the cycling legend, the vigour required to stand out in this sport. Bobet, Anquetil, Poulidor, Thévenet, Zoetemelk, Hinault, Fignon, Kelly, Roche, Indurain, and Jalabert have mastered it: the start-of-season triptych race provides an opportunity to take a first review of the strengths present among the world elite. For the seventh time in a row, the Critérium is taking place around Charleville-Mézières on the roads of the Ardennes region of France, which lend themselves perfectly to the spirit of the event. The first leg, between Asfeld and Charleville-Mézières, has traditionally been reserved for sprinters, but the 2006 edition showed that breakaway attempts are still possible. The hill stage, the difficulties of which correspond to attackers as well as to climbers, promises a radical selection. The verdict is then given on the town's streets, after a short and technical time trial'. (ASO website)

Ag2r Prevoyance for Criterium International: Sylvain CALZATI –Samuel DUMOULIN - Hubert DUPONT - Yuriy KRIVTSOV – John GADRET – Simon GERRANS – René MANDRI – Jean-Patrick NAZON

1st stage (Sat 31 Mar): ASFELD – CHARLEVILLE MEZIERES – 179km
2nd stage (Sun 1 Apr): LES VIEILLES FORGES – MONTHERME – 98.5km
3rd stage (Sun 1 Apr): CHARLEVILLE MEZIERES – CHARLEVILLE MEZIERES – 8.3km IRTT

For more information about Criterium International including live race reports and results, please go to the official race website www.letour.fr

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