- HOT TOPICS:
- The new VeloNews.com (BETA)
Trofimov favorite to repeat at Bessèges
Yuri Trofimov (Bouygues Telecom) is considered to be a top favorite heading into the 39th edition of the Etoile de Bessèges, Europe’s first stage race of the 2009 season.
The Russian all-rounder dominated the 2008 edition that heralded his arrival to the pro ranks. He later went on to win a mountain stage at the Dauphiné Libéré.
Trofimov looks to be entering the 2009 season with equal motivation and rode to a strong third in Sunday’s GP La Marseillaise.
He’ll lead a field of 144 riders from 18 teams leaving Wednesday from Bellegarde for the five-stage race that concludes Sunday. With stages less than 150km each day, racing is nervous, explosive and usually very tight.
The Bessèges race attracts top French riders preparing their form for Paris-Nice and Trofimov should see a hard fight from riders such as Rémi Pauriol (Cofidis), winner of Sunday’s Marseillaise, Christophe Moreau (Agritubel), Samuel Dumoulin (Cofidis) and Sébastian Chavanel (FDJeux).
Etoile de Bessèges, February 4-8
Stage 1 – Wednesday, February 4:Bellegarde to Le Grau du Roi (128.6km)
Stage 2 – Thursday, February 5:Nîmes to Saint-Ambroix (149.2km)
Stage 3 – Friday, February 6:Branoux-les-Taillades to La Grand Combe (133.4km)
Stage 4 – Saturday, February 7:Casino des Fumades-Casino des Fumades (153km)
Stage 5 – Sunday, February 8:Gagnières to Bessèges (145km)Teams
Bouygues Telecom
FDJeux
Silence-Lotto
Cofidis
Skil Shimano
Ag2r
Landbouwkrediet-Tonissteiner
Vacansoleil
Bretagne Schuller
Topsport Vlaanderen
Agritubel
An-Post-Sean Kelly Team
Aubert 93
Roubaix Lille
Véranda Willems
Besson Chassures
Bougas
Carmiooro
