TEAM FACTFILE Country: France Manager: Roger Legeay Team leader: Thor Hushovd Christophe Moreau Best Tour: 1997 - Boardman won the prologue; Cedric Vasseur wore the yellow jersey

They snapped up Pietro Caucchioli to head their overall efforts and he has already proved his worth with a strong showing in the Giro d'Italia.

He looks set to head up proceedings in the general classification with Christopher Moreau.

Jaan Kirsipuu has been brought in to add to an impressive sprint arsenal already headed up by Thor Hushovd.

Hushovd lived up to his potential last year with a series of impressive sprints only to finish second to Robbie McEwen in the battle for the green jersey.

With Kirsipuu and New Zealand's Julian Dean now on his side he could go one better 12 months on.

Hushovd looks in good form - he was third in the Milan-San Remo - while Kirsipuu managed two podium finishes in the Paris-Nice as well as some high finishes in the Giro.

Moreau has long been seen as the team's best hope in the GC but, at 34, his hopes have certainly run out. In 2004 he managed 12th overall.

Team boss Roger Legeay will keep faith with the rider seen as France's best bet for glory, but whether he can deliver remains a hot topic.

Legeay has broken from his policy of sticking to predominantly French riders for his team.

And the Frenchman has the previous know-how of winning, in the team's former colours of Peugeot, Z and Gan.