New French race: Chrono des Nations

A new French race is born: The Grand Prix des Nations, which was created in 1932 and disappeared in 2004, will be revived as it will merge with the Chrono des Herbiers to become what is to be called the Chrono des Nations. The French time trial event will take place for the very first time on October 15, 2006, and World Hour Record holder Ondrej Sosenka, as well as time trial World Champion Michael Rogers have already assured the organiser with their coming.

"The GP des Nations had been the Queen event of time trial kings," said Tour de France director Jean-Marie Leblanc at the announcement in Paris on Wednesday. "We are very glad that the word 'Nations' can continue to exist," added his successor Christian Prudhomme.