Tour de France: Nacer Bouhanni left out of FDJ team as Arnaud Demare is preferred
Last Updated: 23/06/14 7:52pm
FDJ have sprung a surprise by leaving sprinter Nacer Bouhanni out of their squad for the Tour de France.
Bouhanni has developed into one of the most prolific sprinters in the professional peloton over the past year and reached his career peak at last month’s Giro d’Italia, when he won three stages and topped the points classification.
However, French team FDJ have instead opted for Arnaud Demare as their sprinter for the Tour.
Bouhanni, 23, made his Tour debut last year but abandoned the race during the sixth stage.
Demare is a year younger, at 22, and has fewer top-level wins to his name, but is regarded as one of the most promising young sprinters in the sport.
FDJ have confirmed eight of their nine-man Tour line-up, with Demare being joined by William Bonnet, Mickael Delage, Arnold Jeannesson, Matthew Ladagnous, Thibaut Pinot, Jeremy Roy and Arthur Vichot. The final place in the team will be taken by either Cedric Pineau or Francis Mourey.
Pinot will be the team's leader and main general classification contender following his seventh-place finish at last year's Vuelta a Espana.
