Panache p/b Gregario

From time to time featured writer Gregario Forza brings his signature panache to the Wiskota blog.

This is the first installment of a Gregario's 2012 team previews.  Feel free to comment.

2012 Preview: Teams

20.          Cofidis

Additions: Remi Di Gregorio (Astana), David Moncoutie, Tristan Valentin,  Romain Zingle (all re-signed), Edwig Cammaerts (Landbouwkrediet), Egoitz Garcia Etxegibel (Caja Rural), Jan Ghyselinck (HTC-Highroad), Arnaud Labbe, Rudy Molard (re-signed).

Subtractions: Remy Cusin (Team Type 1), Julien El Fares (Team Type 1), Jens Keukeleire    (GreenEdge)

Keys for 2012: Will Moncoutie continue his climbing prowess demonstrated at last year’s Vuelta and target a stage win or a high placement in the KoM in the Tour? Remi Di Gregario is a nice addition to both Moncoutie and Samuel Dumoulin in the attempt to win stages via a breakaway. Rein Taaramäe looks to build on last year’s success. Possibly more grand tour stage wins and a top ten at this year’s tour?

19.          Europcar

           Additions: Rafaâ Chtioui, Davide Malacarne Matteo, Pelucchi BjörnThurau AngeloTulik
             
           Subtractions:

Keys for 2012: Europcar was not granted a ProTour license for 2012. However, this a team with ambition. Pierre Rolland has already notched a stage win as he looks to build on his break out year of 2011. The Tour de France is obviously the main goal for this team but Bernaudeau, Director Sportiff, is quick to underline certain important targets for the new season. "The Flanders and Ardennes races could well be important for us. They are well suited to riders like Thomas Voeckler, Pierre Rolland and Christophe Kern, who already won Liège-Bastonne-Liège juniors in 2002." Voeckler  looks to target the Vuelta as well in 2012. Le Chouchou is my dark horse to make a run at the Olympics and Worlds.

18.          Vacansolei

Additions: Bert-Jan Lindeman (trainee), Barry Markus (trainee), Kenny van Hummel (Skil-Shimano), Martin Mortensen (LEOPARD-TREK), Kevin Van Impe (Quick Step), Gustav Erik Larsson (Saxo Bank Sungard), Kris Boeckmans (Lotto), Stefan Denifl (LEOPARD-TREK), Tomasz Marczynski (CCC-Polsat), Jacek Morajko (CCC-Polsat), Rafael Valls Ferri (Geox-TMC), Nikita Novikov (Itera-Katusha).

Subtractions: Joost van Leijen, Jens Mouris, Gorik Gardeyn, Borut Bozic, Alberto Ongarato, Ezequiel Mosquera Miguez, Michal Golas, Santo Anza, Ruslan Pidgornyy, Maxim Belkov.

Keys for 2012: General Manager Daan Luijkx told the international cycling press, “In last year’s Tour de France we were happy to be in the breakaway of the day, however, now we expect more than just that. We have the riders to be able to do it. Ambitions are clear: a top ten ranking in a final, a stage win in one of the big tours and a podium finish in a monumental classic. I'm really looking forward to the World Championships in Valkenburg too.” Look for Hoogerland, hero of Le Tour, to dominate in the breakaways. Thomas De Gendt, Romain Feillu, Stijn Devolder, and Björn Leukemans all look to have a good year in the classics and as possible stage winners.