National championships

He was not a top-favorite beforehand, but Koos Moerenhout did turn out to be one of the strongest in and around Maastricht on Sunday afternoon. In the finale, the veteran of the Rabo cycling team came up with a very powerful solo. In the high wind and on a parcours tougher than expected, he rode, after having finished in second place twice, to his first national championship with the professionals. With thanks to the team. "If I had not raced for the Rabobank team, this would probably not have been possible. But, the team rode extremely well and I can benefit from that, which is my good fortune," smiled Moerenhout after the finish.

The domination of the ProTeam was comparable to that of the Continental Team on Sunday afternoon. It is just that the excelling Michael Boogerd gave up his bronze medal with a chavelrous gesture to veteran Maarten den Bakker, because otherwise there would have also been a complete Rabo podium with the professionals. After all, Sébastian Langeveld finished in second place, just like in 2006. "The team was formidable. We controlled the race, but that was not as easy as it looked. It was definitely not a piece of cake," confessed team leader Erik Dekker, who also observed that Michael Boogerd was in a great condition. "Boogie gave it his all to protect his teammates and to control the race."

When the race entered its final forty kilometers, Boogerd had again, just like the last couple of years, positioned himself in front. He was part of a lead group with his teammates Koos Moerenhout and favorite for the final victory Sébastian Langeveld, Skil-riders Aart Vierenhouten and Maarten den Bakker and Laurens ten Dam from team Unibet. These six-men had initially been part of a larger lead group in which the Rabo influence with seven riders had also been enormous. Erik Dekker: "We really did not write down a master plan before the start. We had a five minute discussion. It was particularly about us showing initiative and about making sure that we would always be represented in escapes by several riders. They executed that assignment very well."

That approach was also risky and it has gone wrong in the past like in 2005 when Léon van Bon put a stopper on the Rabo plans. "But you got to dare to loose, otherwise you can also not win," explained Dekker. The Rabo initiatives were, however, rewarded this time. The team of course also had to be credited for this because of their powerful performance, against which team Skil Shimano offered brave resistance. That resulted in a very interesting battle, and also raised the question about what kind of strategy the Rabo trio was going to use in the lead group during the final part of the race.

Surprisingly, Sébastian Langeveld, the fastest sprinter in the lead group, placed the first attack, but it was countered by Ten Dam. Then Koos Moerenhout gave it a try and was immediately successful, even though Moerenhout did experience some difficulties. First, Aart Vierenhouten with a ten kilometer long effort and with Michael Boogerd as ballast, tried to reach Moerenhout. Later on, Den Bakker, again accompanied by Boogerd, took over that initiative. But he did not succeed either. "Still, that solo was not a gift," confessed Koos Moerenhout later. "It was very difficult in the wind. I was also pretty exhausted, but got a morale boost after I heard the announcements from the team leader's car."

In the final kilometers, the solo rider was no longer threatened, with that underlining that he is a strong championship cyclist. "I am always good at these kinds of races. The last couple of years, I have frequently ridden in front as well during Dutch and World Championships. Winning, however, is a different story. The fact that I did succeed this time is because I am with a great team. Finally."

Crédit Agricole for Tour de France

Thor Hushovd will be Crédit Agricols captain at this years Tour de France. Hushovd won the green jersey in 2005 and wants to repeat that succes. The winner of last years prologue will also play a role at the bunch sprints.  Italian climber Pietro Caucchioli will not start at the tour. Caucchioli did not recover enough of health problems that started at this years Giro d'Italia. Caucchioli will now focus on the Vuelta Espana.

Crédit Agricole for Tour de France: William Bonnet (Fra), Alexandre Botcharov (Rus), Anthony Charteau (Fra), Julian Dean (NZl), Dmitriy Fofonov (Kaz), Patrice Halgand (Fra), Sébastien Hinault (Fra), Thor Hushovd (Noo), Christophe Le Mevel (Fra). Invaller: Laszlo Bodrogi (Hun).

Agritubel for Tour de France

Agritubel announced that Cédric Hervé will become the final place at the Agritubel Tour de France roster.

Agritubel for Tour de France: Freddy Bichot (Fra), Moïse Duenas (Spa), Romain Feillu (Fra), Eduardo Gonzalo (Spa), Cédric Hervé (Fra), Nicolas Jalabert (Fra), Juan Miguel Mercado (Spa), Benoît Salmon (Fra), Nicolas Vogondy (Fra).

Française des Jeux  for Tour de France 

Française des Jeux will start with a very young team at this years edition of La Grand Boucle. FD Jeux team manager Marc Madiot said: "I have five or six riders who have a chance at the young riders classification. FD Jeux has three 'protected' riders: Philippe Gilbert, Sandy Casar and Thomas Lökvist. Four FD Jeux rookies will start at their first Tour: Sébastien Chavanel, Delage, Di Gregorio and Ladagnous.

Française des Jeux for Tour de France: Sandy Casar (Fra), Sébastien Chavanel (Fra), Mickaël Delage (Fra), Rémy Di Grégorio (Fra), Philippe Gilbert (BEL), Lilian Jégou (Fra), Matthieu Ladagnous (Fra), Thomas Lövkvist (Zwe), Benoît Vaugrenard (Fra).

Bouygues Telecom for Tour de France

Bouygues Telecom announced its Tour roster on Sunday. Jean-René Bernaudeau's team around Thomas Voeckler contains 6 French riders.

Bouygues Telecom for Tour de France: Pierrick Fedrigo (Fra), Anthony Geslin (Fra), Laurent Lefèvre (Fra), Jérôme Pineau (Fra), Matthieu Sprick (Fra), Thomas Voeckler (Fra), Stef Clement (Ned), Xavier Florencio (Spa), Johann Tschopp (Zwi).