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
Stuart Clarke

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.

>> Struggling to get to the shops try 6 issues of Cycling Weekly magazine for just £6 delivered to your door <<

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.