TOUR DE FRANCE 2007 TEAM GUIDE

Cyclingweekly.co.uk presents our online guide to every team - and its riders - taking part in this year's Tour de France. All teams have now confirmed their line-ups.

A total of 21 teams comprising of nine members per squad make up the 189 riders taking part in this year's Tour de France. The majority of squads belong to the Union Cycliste International's top-level ProTour, with two wildcard additions: Barloworld and Agritubel.

One ProTour squad is notable by its absence. Unibet.com, which includes British sprinter Jeremy Hunt, have been excluded due to a disagreement over their sponsorship.

For a list of this year's Tour de France stages click here.

AG2R PREVOYANCE

Team website: www.ag2r-cyclisme.com

Sponsor: Insurance company

Bikes: B'Twin frames, Campagnolo components

Team line-up (confirmed):

Overall contender:

Christophe Moreau Fra

Other riders:

Cyril Dessel Fra

Jose Luis Arrieta Spa

Sylvain Calzati Fra

Martin Elmiger Swi

John Gadret Fra

Stephane Goubert Fra

Ludovic Turpin Fra

Simon Gerrans Aus

Cyclingweekly.co.uk says:

If they can get special dispensation for Moreau's zimmer frame, they could just make the top 10. We can't work out why the Frenchman doesn't target the King of the Mountains competition a la Virenque. Dessel will be just another domestic rider this time.

AGRITUBEL

Team website: www.agritubel-cycling.com

Sponsor: Agricultural equipment

Bikes: MBK frames, Shimano components

Team line-up (confirmed):

Juan Miguel Mercado Spa

Freddy Bichot Fra

Moises Duenas Spa

Nicolas Jalabert Fra

Benoit Salmon Fra

Nicolas Vogondy Fra

Cedric Herve Spa

Romain Feillu Fra

Eduardo Gonzalo Spa

Cyclingweekly.co.uk says:

We've learned our lesson after last year. Agritubel have absolutely no chance of a stage win this year. But they do have some nice, friendly-looking cows painted on their team vehicles, so they're alright by us.

ASTANA

Team website: www.astanateam.com

Sponsor: Kazakhstan companies

Bikes: BMC frames

Team line-up (confirmed):

Overall contenders:

Alexandre Vinokourov Kaz

Andreas Kloden Ger

Other riders:

Andrey Kashechkin Kaz

Paolo Salvoldelli Ita

Antonio Colom Spa

Maxim Iglinskiy Kaz

Serguei Ivanov Rus

Daniel Navarro Spa

Gregory Rast Swi

Cyclingweekly.co.uk says:

Astana look powerful. If either Vinokourov or Kloden does not make the podium it'll be a big disappointment for them.

BARLOWORLD

Team website: www.teambarloworld.com

Sponsor: Brand management company

Bikes: Cannondale frames, Campagnolo components

Team line-up (confirmed):

Felix Cardenas Col

Robert Hunter RSA

Gianpaolo Cheula Ita

Alexander Efimkin Rus

Mauricio Soler Col

Geraint Thomas GBr

Kanstantin Siutsou Blr

Enrico Degano Ita

Cyclingweekly.co.uk says:

Without being disrespectful to Barloworld, it is outrageous that they have been given a place in the race at the expense of Unibet. The Belgian squad have better riders, better results and the row over the team's sponsor - a gambling website - breaking the advertising laws in France may be valid, but it is not enough to bar the team. They have been racing under the name of their bike supplier, Canyon, in other French races. Barloworld's goals will be modest.

BOUYGUES TELECOM

Team website: www.equipebouygestelecom.fr

Sponsor: Telecommunications company

Bikes: Time frames, Campagnolo components

Team line-up (confirmed):

Pierrick Fédrigo Fra

Thomas Voeckler Fra

Stef Clement Hol

Xavier Florencio Spa

Anthony Geslin Fra

Laurent Lefèvre Fra

Jérôme Pineau Fra

Matthieu Sprick Fra

Johann Tschopp Swi

Cyclingweekly.co.uk says:

Same old story - they'll do well to win a stage, they have no one capable of finishing high up overall. It's not being disrespectful to say they will be fighting for the scraps left over by the big teams. As the squads with big budgets hoover up all the best riders it's becoming ever harder for teams like Bouygues Telecom to compete. A stage win, therefore, is a big feather in the cap.

CAISSE D'EPARGNE

Team website: www.illesbalearsteam.com

Sponsor: French bank

Bikes: Pinarello frames, Campagnolo components

Team line-up (confirmed):

Overall contenders:

Oscar Pereiro Spa

Vladimir Karpets Rus

Alejandro Valverde Spa

Other riders:

Florent Brard Fra

Jose Vicente Garcia Acosta Spa

Francisco Perez Spa

Nicolas Portal Fra

Luis Leon Sanchez Spa

Xavier Zandio Spa

Cyclingweekly.co.uk says:

The clincher will be if Valverde rides. If he does he will be expected to challenge strongly, all the while with L'Equipe publishing allegations against him, no doubt. The paper maintains that EPO was found in blood labelled Valv.Piti. which makes the lack of action from the Spanish Cycling Federation remarkable.

COFIDIS

Team website: www.equipe-cofidis.com

Sponsor: Credit provider

Bikes: Time bikes, Campagnolo components

Team line-up (confirmed):

Sylvain Chavanel Fra

Bradley Wiggins GBr

Stephane Auge Fra

Geoffroy Lequatre Fra

Cristian Moreni Ita

Nick Nuyens Bel

Ivan Parra Col

Staf Scheirlincknx Bel

Rik Verbrugghe Bel

Cyclingweekly.co.uk says:

The fantasy scenario is that Wiggins wins the prologue, keeps the jersey until they pop back over the channel and then someone else - perhaps Chavanel - pops up to win another stage later in the race. It's a big ask. A great result for Wiggins would be top three in London but a win is not out of the question. The rest need to catch a break.

CREDIT AGRICOLE

Team website: http://au-veloclubdeparis.fr

Sponsor: French bank

Bikes: Look frames, Shimano components

Team line-up (confirmed):

Thor Hushovd Nor

William Bonnet Fra

Alexandre Botcharov Rus

Anthony Charteau Fra

Julian Dean NZ

Patrice Halgand Fra

Sebastien Hinault Fra

Christophe Le Mevel Fra

Dimitri Fofonov Kaz

Cyclingweekly.co.uk says:

Don't expect them to push for the yellow jersey. They'll be limited to attacking in the hope that they get lucky, then hoping for Hushovd to do the business in the sprints. The big goal will be another green jersey.

CSC

Team website: www.team-csc.com

Sponsor: Information technology consultants

Bikes: Cervelo

Team line-up (confirmed):

Overall contenders:

Carlos Sastre Spa

Frank Schleck Lux

Other riders:

Kurt Asle Arvensen Den

Fabian Cancellara Swi

Inigo Cuesta Spa

Stuart O'Grady Aus

Chris Vandevelde USA

Jens Voigt Ger

David Zabriskie USA

Cyclingweekly.co.uk says:

It's hard to see Sastre being able to win the Tour, but watch out for Schleck. A spell with the yellow jersey - courtesy of Cancellara or Zabriskie - would get the Tour off to a flayer. After that, though, there are better riders who bar CSC's way to the final podium.

DISCOVERY CHANNEL

Team website: http://team.discovery.com

Sponsor: Television company

Bikes: Trek frames, Shimano components

Team line-up (confirmed):

Overall contender:

Alberto Contador Spa

Levi Leipheimer USA

Other riders:

Vladimir Gusev Rus

George Hincapie USA

Egoi Martinez Spa

Benjamin Noval Spa

Sergio Paulinho Por

Yaroslav Popovych Ukr

Tomas Vaitkus Lit

Cyclingweekly.co.uk says:

They need a good Tour. For all team manager Johan Bruyneel's bluster they've never needed a good result more than this year. With Ivan Basso finally admitting (or not) that he used performance-enhancing techniques (or thought about using them) the team are left with Plan D - leading with Levi Leipheimer. So, unless young gun Contador can rise sharply, it looks like another damp squib.

EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI

Team website: www.fundacioneuskadi.com

Sponsor: Telecommunications company, Basque tourism office

Bikes: Orbea frames, Shimano components

Team line-up (confirmed):

Igor Anton Spa

Haimar Zubeldia Spa

Mikel Astarloza Spa

Jorge Azanza Spa

Inaki Isasi Spa

Inigo Landaluze Spa

Ruben Perez Spa

Amets Txurruka Spa

Gorka Verdugo Spa

Cyclingweekly.co.uk says:

They really need a stage win but without Sammy Sanchez they'll be up against it. The lack of strength against the clock will count both him and Zubeldia out of any chance of making the podium.

FRANCAISE DES JEUX

Team website: www.fdjeux.com

Sponsor: French lottery

Bikes: Lapierre frames, Shimano components

Team line-up (confirmed):

Sandy Casar Fra

Philippe Gilbert Bel

Sebastien Chavanel Fra

Mickael Delange Fra

Remy Di Gregorio Fra

Mathieu Ladagnous Fra

Thomas Lovkvist Swe

Benoit Vaugrenard Fra

Sebastien Joly Fra

Cyclingweekly.co.uk says:

It's one of the cliches of cycling that Francaise des Jeux will have a brilliant team any year now. They looked on course when Brad McGee and Baden Cooke led them rampant through the 2003 Tour. Now they pin their hopes on the likes of Gilbert, Lovkvist and Di Gregorio, who L'Equipe have been bigging up.

GEROLSTEINER

Team website: www.gerolsteiner.de

Sponsor: Mineral water

Bikes: Specialized frames, Shimano components

Team line-up (confirmed):

Overall contender:

Markus Fothen Ger

Bernhard Kohl Aut

Other riders:

Stefan Schumacher Ger

Heinrich Haussler Ger

Robert Forster Ger

Ronny Scholz Ger

Fabian Wegmann Ger

Peter Wrolich Aus

Sven Krauss Ger

Cyclingweekly.co.uk says:

Leipheimer has moved on to lead Discovery Channel and Georg Totschnig has retired. So it's down to the kids - Kohl, Fothen, Haussler. There's a distinct lack of older heads in the team.

LAMPRE-FONDITAL

Team website: www.lampre-fondital.com

Sponsor: Sheet metal manufacturer

Bikes: Wilier frame, Campagnolo components

Team line-up (confirmed):

Daniele Bennati Ita

Tadej Valjavec Slo

Alessandro Ballan Ita

Paolo Bossoni Ita

Marzio Bruseghin Ita

Danilo Napolitano Ita

Daniele Righi Ita

Patxi Vila Spa

Claudio Corioni Ita

Cyclingweekly.co.uk says:

Without Damiano Cunego - who is not riding the Tour after a so-so Giro d'Italia - Lampre look very ordinary indeed. The best they can hope for is a stage win or two from Bennati, Valjavec or Ballan.

LIQUIGAS

Team website: www.teamliquigas.it

Sponsor: Bottled gas

Bikes: Cannondale

Team line-up (confirmed):

Filippo Pozzato Ita

Manuel Beltran Spa

Murilo Fischer Bra

Manuel Quinziato Ita

Charly Wegelius GBr

Frederik Willems Bel

Michael Albasini Sui

Kjell Carlstrom Fin

Aliaksandr Kuchynski Blr

Cyclingweekly.co.uk says:

There's no disguising the team are not equipped to give the Tour their full attention after riding the Giro at full pelt. Unless they put one of the Giro lot - Di Luca or Pellizotti - into the Tour, they have very little chance of doing anything overall. Apart from Pellizotti and Paolini perhaps the best chance of success will come from sprinters Francesco Chicchi or Brazil's Murilo Fischer.

MILRAM

Team website: www.team-milram.com

Sponsor: Dairy products

Bikes: Colnago frames, Campagnolo components

Team line-up (confirmed):

Andriy Grivko Ukr replaces Alessandro Petacchi, not riding due to ban

Erik Zabel Ger

Marcel Sieberg Ger

Ralf Grabsch Ger

Christian Knees Ger

Brett Lancaster Aus

Alberto Ongarato Ita

Enrico Poitschke Ger

Alessandro Cortinovis Ita

Cyclingweekly.co.uk says:

Brett Lancaster is on the very long list of prologue contenders, somewhere near the bottom, included on the basis that he won the 1km Giro prologue a couple of years ago and that he said in an interview he reckons he's got a chance. Then it's all about Erik, with Petacchi out of the Tour squad due to a pending one year ban for testing positive for Salbutamol. Other than that there's a few jumpy riders who could fancy a stage win, such as Andriy Grivko and the brilliantly-named Christian Knees.

PREDICTOR-LOTTO

Team website: www.davitamon-lotto.com

Sponsor: Pregnancy testing kits, Belgian national lottery

Bikes: Ridley frames, Campagnolo components

Team line-up (confirmed):

Overall contender:

Cadel Evans Aus

Other riders:

Robbie McEwen Aus

Mario Aerts Bel

Dario Cioni Ita

Chris Horner USA

Lief Hoste Bel

Fred Rodriguez USA

Wim Vansevenant Bel

Johan Vansummeren Bel

Cyclingweekly.co.uk says:

Cadel Evans is dreaming of the podium - perhaps even of becoming the first Australian to win the Tour. Certainly he's on the long list of favourites but the lack of willingness to attack will hold him back. Top five will be a good result. McEwen, the fastest stage race sprinter in the world, will be aiming for another green jersey. McEwen is a master at finishing the Tour - something that his chief rivals, Tom Boonen, Alessandro Petacchi and Oscar Freire among them, cannot say.

QUICK STEP

Team website: www.qsi-cycling.com/eng/home.php

Sponsor: Flooring company

Bikes: Specialized frames, Campagnolo components

Team line-up (confirmed):

Carlos Barredo Spa

Tom Boonen Bel

Steve De Jongh Hol

Juan Manuel Garate Spa

Gert Steegmans Bel

Bram Tankink Hol

Matteo Tosatto Ita

Cedric Vasseur Fra

Sebastien Rosseler Bel

Cyclingweekly.co.uk says:

Boonen has to win a stage. Perhaps by way of an insurance policy, Garate is likely to ride and that will give the team some kind of presence in the general classification. With Bettini concentrating on the Giro it's unlikely he'll ride the Tour, so the onus will fall on Boonen. The big goal is to win the green jersey, but after failing to win a stage last year, it's back to basics.

RABOBANK

Team website: www.rabobank.nl/particulieren/sponsoring/wielrennen/

Sponsor: Bank

Bikes: Colnago frames, Shimano components

Team line-up (confirmed):

Overall contenders:

Denis Menchov Rus

Other riders:

Michael Rasmussen Den

Oscar Freire Spa

Michael Boogerd Hol

Bram De Groot Hol

Thomas Dekker Hol

Juan Antonio Flecha Spa

Pieter Weening Hol

Grischa Niermann Ger

Cyclingweekly.co.uk says:

Menchov will improve but not enough to make the podium. Freire will win at least a stage. Dekker will announce himself on the big stage and Michael Rasmussen will strategically lose time overall so he can hoover up the points in the King of the Mountains.

SAUNIER DUVAL-PRODIR

Team website: www.saunierduvalteam.com

Sponsor: Boilers, pen company

Bikes: Scott frames, SRAM components

Team line-up (confirmed):

David Millar GBr

Iban Mayo Spa

Iker Camano Spa

David De La Fuente Rus

Juan Jose Cobo Spa

Ruben Lobato Spa

Christophe Rinero Fra

Francisco Ventoso Spa

David Canada Gracia Spa

Cyclingweekly.co.uk says:

We'll eat our hats if a Saunier Duval rider doesn't make the top 10 - and probably the upper reaches of it - this July. Their results everywhere else have been remarkable this season and they seem to unearth riders left, right and centre. Who knows, they may even put Iban Mayo back on course.

T-MOBILE

Team website: www.t-mobile-team.com

Sponsor: Telecommunications company

Bikes: Giant frames, Shimano components

Team line-up (confirmed):

Overall contender:

Michael Rogers Aus

Other riders:

Marcus Burghardt Ger

Mark Cavendish GBr

Linus Gerdemann Ger

Kim Kirchen Lux

Bernhard Eisel Aut

Bert Grabsch Ger

Patrik Sinkewitz Ger

Axel Merckx Bel

Cyclingweekly.co.uk says:

It'll take a remarkable ride by Rogers to see a T-Mobile jersey on the podium. The team's response to the doping problems has meant they don't have an overall contender but they still have plenty of possible stage winners, and Rogers can be in the top five.