Newcomers at Crédit Agricole

By Hedwig Kröner

French ProTour team Crédit Agricole has hired new promising riders. Julien Simon, 22 years old, will become a professional next season after winning the Grand Prix de Plouay amateur's race recently. Also joining the squad is Lithuanian rider Ignas Konovalovas, 21 years old and currently racing in the Tour de l'Avenir. The gifted rouleur coming from VC La Pomme in Marseille has signed for two years.

Crédit Agricole moreover counts several newcomers to its roster, including Australian Simon Gerrans, Norwegian Gabriel Rasch as well as the Frenchmen Eric Berthou and Maxime Méderel. Leaving the team are Anthony Charteau, Christophe Edaleine, Christophe Laurent, Benoît Poilvet, Mads Kaggestad and New Zealander Julian Dean.