By Susan Westemeyer
Team Elk Haus Simplon is opening its 2008 season with two races in France, the Etoile de Bessèges and the Tour Méditerranéen. After those races, the team will take on the Omloop Het Volk and the 3 Daagse West-Vlaanderen. In addition, the Austrian Professional Continental team has hopes for an invite to the Giro d'Italia Grand Tour.
"There is a meeting with the Giro organisers on February 12," said team manager Bernhard Rassinger. "We still hope for an invitation."
In the Etoile de Bessèges, the team will look to its sprinters, Jochen Summer and newcomer Steffen Radchola. The Tour Méditerranéen will see Gerhard Trampusch make his team debut.
Elk Haus for Etoile de Bessèges: Markus Eibegger, Stefan Rucker, Jochen Summer, Robert Lauscha, Jan Valach, Björn Thurau, Daniel Schorn and Steffen Radochla.
Elk Haus for the Tour Méditerranéen: Gerhard Trampusch, Harald Totschnig, Clemens Fankhauser, Markus Eibegger, Stefan Rucker, Jochen Summer, Jan Valach, and Robert Lauscha
