The European stage race season traditionally takes on a solemn dimension with the start of Paris-Nice. For the 2011 edition, 22 teams have been selected by the organizer Amaury Sport Organisation. And, once again this year, the race is likely to be of high quality with a very top-level competition.
Every season, the cycling world eagerly anticipates the announcement of the teams selected to participate in Paris-Nice from March 6 to 13. The 69th edition of the first stage race on the Pro Tour calendar will start in the town of Houdan, in the Yvelines department, and will finish, as every year, on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. It should be noted that Houdan has signed an agreement with ASO to be the starting city of the race until 2013.
Vinokourov against the Schleck brothers?
Among others, we can witness a confrontation between the Luxembourg team of the Schleck brothers, Team Leopard-Trek, and the Kazakh Alexandre Vinokourov’s Pro Team Astana. Still, watch out for teams such as Team Radioshack, Quickstep, or Omega Pharma-Lotto, who can aspire to a final victory. As for the French teams, we can count on AG2R La Mondiale, Cofidis, or FDJ to climb to the top of the final ranking, or even for some stage wins.
The following 18 teams have been selected in accordance with the regulations of the Union Cycliste Internationale:
OMEGA PHARMA-LOTTO (BEL), QUICKSTEP CYCLING TEAM (BEL), SAXO BANK SUNGARD (DEN), EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI (ESP), MOVISTAR TEAM (ESP), AG2R LA MONDIALE (FRA), SKY PROCYCLING (GBR), LAMPRE – ISD (ITA), LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE (ITA), PRO TEAM ASTANA (KAZ), TEAM LEOPARD – TREK (LUX), RABOBANK CYCLING TEAM (NED), VACANSOLEIL-DCM PRO CYCLING TEAM (NED), KATUSHA TEAM (RUS), BMC RACING TEAM (USA), HTC-HIGHROAD (USA), TEAM GARMIN-CERVELO (USA), TEAM RADIOSHACK (USA).
Four other French teams, invited by the organizers, will complete this lineup of Paris-Nice:
COFIDIS, LE CREDIT EN LIGNE (FRA), BRETAGNE-SCHULLER (FRA), FDJ (FRA), TEAM EUROPCAR (FRA).
