Spain’s Alejandro Valverde, one of the favourites for next month’s Tour de France, has the distinction of a former champion helping him in his leader’s role at Caisse d’Epargne, compatriot Oscar Pereiro.
Pereiro came second behind Floyd Landis in 2006, but the American was later stripped of his title for taking steroids and, just on Monday, lost his appeal at the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Others riding for Caisse d’Epargne at the July 5 to 27 Grand Boucle include Spaniards Vicente Garcia Acosta and Ivan Gutierrez.
Caisse d’Epargne team at Tour de France:
David Arroyo (ESP), Arnaud Coyot (FRA), Vicente Garcia Acosta (ESP), Ivan Gutierrez (ESP), David Lopez (ESP), Oscar Pereiro (ESP), Nicolas Portal (FRA), Luis Leon Sanchez (ESP), Alejandro Valverde (ESP)