2012 looks like it may see the return of a Frenchman to the Tour de France podium. After his win at L’Alpe d’Huez last year Pierre Rolland announced himself as the next French hope for a GC win. Europcar had a highly successful Tour last year with Thomas Voeckler in yellow for ten days and Rolland winning the young riders classification. It will be hard for them to replicate last year’s efforts, however Rolland is a future star and capable of reproducing his form from last year.
This year Rolland is the protected rider for Europcar with Voeckler likely to play Rolland’s role from last year. Europcar proved it has a strong team in the defence of Voeckler’s yellow jersey and with Rolland arguably a better rider in the mountains than Voeckler, a podium seems within reach for Europcar. Stage wins may come about through Rolland and Voeckler but it will be the GC that Europcar will target with stage wins a bonus. Voeckler will be key to reliving pressure off Rolland if it gets too much for the young rider. The experience last year of holding the yellow jersey for ten days will be invaluable to Rolland if he finds himself under the spotlight and in yellow.
Europcar
2012 Tour de France Team
This year Rolland is the protected rider for Europcar with Voeckler likely to play Rolland’s role from last year. Europcar proved it has a strong team in the defence of Voeckler’s yellow jersey and with Rolland arguably a better rider in the mountains than Voeckler, a podium seems within reach for Europcar. Stage wins may come about through Rolland and Voeckler but it will be the GC that Europcar will target with stage wins a bonus. Voeckler will be key to reliving pressure off Rolland if it gets too much for the young rider. The experience last year of holding the yellow jersey for ten days will be invaluable to Rolland if he finds himself under the spotlight and in yellow.
Europcar
2012 Tour de France Team
Yukiya Arashiro
Giovanni Bernaudeau
Cyril Gautier
Yohann Gène
Vincent Jérôme
Christophe Kern
Davide Malacarne
Pierre Rolland
Thomas Voeckler
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