Hoogerland takes heart from strong start in France

Jonathan Hivert (Saur-Sojasun) takes the sprint over Johnny Hoogerland.

Jonathan Hivert (Saur-Sojasun) takes the sprint over Johnny Hoogerland. (Image credit: Isabelle Duchesne)

Vacansoleil's Johnny Hoogerland will start Etoile de Bessèges this week, fresh from a second place finish at the French season opener, GP de la Marseillaise on Sunday. With the 2010 Tour de France to begin in Rotterdam, Hoogerland is hopeful that a strong early season showing will improve his Dutch team's chances of securing an invitation to the French Grand Tour.