Jean-René Bernaudeau's cyclingteam Bouygues Telecom is slowly changing like all the French teams seem to be doing. The former amateur team based in Vendée is somewhat releasing the French grip on the team. Last season the two flourishing riders Clement and Florencio were introduced into the team as the first two foreign riders. This year another trio of foreigners will join the Spanish and Dutch rider in the team sponsord by the French telecomgiant. A good development according to most followers. The Swiss riders Clerc and Tschopp, plus the Estonian Pütsep will be a great assets for the team.


Manager Bernaudeau started the Bouygues Telecom team with one dream: winning a Tour stage. Despite of the mediocre teamselection the former cyclist succeeds in his quest. Pierrick Fedrigo fortunately won the chaotic fifteenth stage. With Forencio's Classica San Sebastian win the team couldn't have wished for a better season.


These two riders are also the ones who can make or break the 2007 season. Tschopp came from the Phonak team who had to let their “stock” go. He’ll have to prove his talent status once and for all now. His compatriot Clerc only succeeds every once in a while in showing his abilities. Clerc never could live up to the expectations, while he was never able to keep the same high level of sprinting. Together with the other sprinters Pineau, Martias and Geslin (Sebastien Chavanel left Bouygues to join Française des Jeux) he will lead the quick riders within the selection. With Pütsep and especially Saïd Haddou the team will have two more options in the sprints.


Brontosaurus Brochard had a spoiled 2006 season due to a hernia and will do everything to show he's not yet done for. But even with the arrival of Julien Belgy and Dimitri Champion (both neo-pros), Bernaudeau will have to rely on the foreign riders. For example Stef Clement, the Dutchman from Breda. He didn't take the usual Rabobank path and managed to show he was right by making the necessairy progression last season. This season, therefore he’ll be rewarded with a spot in the Tour-selection.


The most populair French equipe has a nice irradiation with national sweethart Voeckler. But at the same time he is the tone picture of the team: fairly talented, but in general coming short when the talent has to come out.


New:
Aurélien Clerc, Johann Tschopp (Phonak), Nicolas Crosbie (Agritubel), Saïd Haddou (Auber ´93), Erki Pütsep (AG2R), Julien Belgy, Dimitri Champion (neo)


Departed:
Sébastien Chavanel (Française des Jeux), Maryan Hary (Cofidis), Christophe Kern (Crédit Agricole), Anthony Ravard (Agritubel), Walter Bénéteau (retired)