2006 Tour de France winner, Oscar Pereiro, will make event historywhen he takes to the start line of the 2009 Tour Down Under.

With Caisse d’Epargne’s Pereiro lining up against Lance Armstrong, it will thefirst time two Tour de France winners have competed in the Tour Down Under.

“The Tour Down Under is honored to have Pereiro and Armstrong competing at our event,” said Mike Turtur, Tour Down Under Race Director.

“Spectators in Adelaide will get to see some of the best cycling champions of our time. It’s a great coup for the sport in this region and highlights the continued growth of the Tour Down Under.”
Oscar Pereiro took overall honours in the 2006 Tour de France, and placed tenth in the 2004 Tour de France behind overall winner Lance Armstrong.

Mike Turtur believes the Caisse d’Epargne team travelling to the 2009 Tour Down Under is a cycling powerhouse, with a strong history of victories and cycling achievements.

“A Tour de France winner, a Tour Down Under winner, and stage winnersfrom the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia are all part of the Caisse d’Epargneteam heading here next year,” said Mike Turtur.
Luis Leon Sanchez will return to the Tour Down Under with the Caissed’Epargne team.

“Australians embraced Luis Leon Sanchez as a crowd favourite when he wonthe Tour Down Under in 2005, and I think he’ll put in a strong performanceagain in 2009.”

The 2008 Tour Down Under Share the Road Young Rider winner, JoseRojas, will also return to the race.

The Caisse d’Epargne team lining up for the 2009 Tour Down Under includes: Oscar Pereiro (ESP), Luis Leon Sanchez (ESP), Jose Rojas (ESP), Pablo Lastras (ESP), Nicolas Portal (FRA), Imanol Erviti (ESP) and Mathieu Drujon (FRA). Australian cycling identity Neil Stephens (AUS) will lead the Spanish outfit as the Team Manager for this event.