French sprinter Jimmy Casper will race for the first time in the colours of Unibet.com when it makes...
Casper scoring a big win in the 2006 Tour (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Chocolade Jacques makes Belgian double
French sprinter Jimmy Casper will race for the first time in the colours of Unibet.com when it makes its debut at the 2007 Tour Down Under in Adelaide. The 28 year-old, who has posted more than 20 victories in his professional career, this year, won the first stage of the Tour de France claiming the green jersey for a day before relinquishing it to eventual sprint competition winner, Robbie McEwen.
Joining Casper in the line up is fellow Tour de France rider and another former Cofidis rider, Arnaud Coyot who this year outsprinted Norwegian Thor Hushovd to win the Classic Haribo in France. The team represents a united nations of cycling with riders from France, Italy, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands along with Sweden's Gustav Larsson, who this year rode in the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia for Française Des Jeux.
"My understanding is Unibet.com will be granted a ProTour licence for 2007 so we're really pleased their first race with that status is with us," noted Race Director Mike Turtur. "It's always great to welcome a new team to the Tour Down Under and to welcome back riders of the talent of Casper who raced here a few years ago when he was with the Française Des Jeux team."
The second Belgian registered team to confirm their starting list for the Tour Down Under is Chocolade Jacques, which will be led by Glenn D'Hollander (31) who placed 10th overall in this year's Tour Down Under. Also on the team is Belgian Steven Caethoven (25), who this year claimed a stage of the Rheinland Pfalz Tour in Germany and last year won a stage of the Tour of Belgium.
The 2007 Tour Down Under will be held January 16 – 21, 2007. For further information please visit the official website at www.tourdownunder.com.au.
Unibet.com (Bel) Jimmy Casper (Fra) Pieter Jacobs (Bel) Laurens Ten Dam (Ned) Arnaud Coyot (Fra) Gorik Gardeyn (Bel) Markus Eichler (Ger) Matteo Carrara (Ita) Gustav Erik Larsson (Swe) Team Manager: Jacques Hanegraaf
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Chocolade Jacques (Bel) Glenn D'Hollander (Bel) Koen Barbé (Bel) Steven Caethoven (Bel) Pieter Ghyllebert (Bel) Kurt Hovelynck (Bel) Serge Pauwels (Ned) Frederik Veuchelen (Bel) Sven Renders (Bel) Team Manager: Walter Planckaert
