Andreas Kloden, who was twice runner-up in the Tour de France (2004 and 2006), is among riders contesting France’s Tour de l’Ain, starting on Sunday.
The German is expected to use the four-day long race in the mountains near the border with Switzerland as a practice effort in advance of the Tour of Germany scheduled to start on August 29.
Also among the riders on the starting line at Lagnieu on Sunday will be fellow German Linus Gerdemann, winner of a stage in last year’s Tour de France.
Last year’s winner of the Tour de l’Ain, Frenchman John Gadret, is aiming to hold on to his title.
Organisers have planned four tough days of cycling over 566 kilometers, featuring five stages including an evening time trial. Nineteen teams of six cyclists are involved in the race.