Bora-Argon 18 and Direct Energie among Paris-Roubaix wildcards
Four French teams, including Direct Energie and Cofidis, are among the seven wildcards awarded by ASO for Paris-Roubaix on April 10
There are few surprises on the list of Paris-Roubaix wildcards, announced by organiser ASO on Monday, with four French Pro Continental teams and the top second-tier teams in Belgium included.
Direct Energie (formerly Europcar), Cofidis, Fortuneo-Vital Concept and Delko Marseille Provence KTM are the representatives of the host nation, joining compatriots FDJ and Ag2r La Mondiale in the race.
Topspot-Vlaanderen Baloise and Wanty-Groupe Gobert from Belgium are invited to the historic cobbled race on April 10, with Germany’s Bora-Argon 18 the final team on the list.
Being a WorldTour event, all 18 top level teams are automatically invited, although reigning champion John Degenkolb will not race for Giant-Alpecin this year as he recovers from injuries sustained in a collision with a car in January.
Tom Boonen unfazed by being on the brink of Classics history
Four-time winner Tom Boonen will be looking to take sole ownership of the record for the most wins in the famous race, which he currently shares with Roger de Vlaeminck.
Fellow multiple winner Fabian Cancellara, who has three wins to his name, will be looking for victory in his final season before retiring.
WorldTour teams for Paris-Roubaix: Ag2r La Mondiale, Astana, BMC, Cannondale, Dimension Data, Etixx-Quick Step, FDJ, IAM Cycling, Lampre-Merida, Lotto Soudal, Movistar, Orica-GreenEdge, Giant–Alpecin, Katusha, Lotto NL-Jumbo, Team Sky, Tinkoff, Trek-Segafredo.
Wildcards for Paris-Roubaix: Bora- Argon 18, Cofidis, Delko Marseille Provence KTM, Direct Energie, Fortuneo–Vital Concept, Topsport Vlaanderen–Baloise, Wanty–Groupe Gobert.