[EN]

[EN] French telecom giant Bouygues Telecom is proud to be French and it shows. A staggering 26, out of 28, riders are Frenchborn and part of this team. So only two “foreigners”; Stef Clement (Rabo continental team) and Xavier Florencio (Spanish) just joined the Bouygues ranks.


No great changes either at the start of the 2006 season. This team clearly aims for the “homeground” races. Without any “big” names in the team they will have to really work for their victories. So who are the guys to watch out for?


First of all their new signing from AG2R. Andy Flickinger is a very attacking rider, who should do well in the one day classics, his style suits those races best. But don’t be surprised if he wins one or more stages in one of the many tours! Thomas Voeckler was the wonderboy who wore the yellow Tour de France jersey for many days in a row, ‘till the boss himself (Armstrong) took it from him. He just might try to do something similar, after having a dismal 2005 season. He’s also a force to be reckoned with in the classics.


If we look at the sprints, you have to look at Chavanel and Pineau, the latter being pretty forceful on hilly terrains. The main sprinter though, must be the Bronze medallist at the last World’s, Anthony Geslin. A very reliable sprinter, many top 10 finishes in the past season, so always in the thick of it. Might be a good bet, since he’s got a very good team of supporting teammates.


Pity though, they lost Charteau to Crédit Agricole. Pity, because he was the only victor in a 2005 stage. So who’ll win the next one for Bouygues Telecom? Oldtimers like Rous and Brochard were close. Especially Brochard will go for a win in 2006. This will probably be his last year as a professional cyclist, so, as an attacker, he’ll certainly be on the war-path! Laurent Brochard has had more than fifteen top-20 finishes last year alone, but a victory illuded him. He might do better this coming season.


Additions to the team:
Clement, Flickinger, Florencio, Labbe, Le Boulanger, Jérôme, Pichot


Left the team:
Charteau, Maingenaud, Naulleau, Pichon, Yus