It’s bad news for those hoping for an Astana invite and a chance for last year’s champion Alberto Contador to defend his title. With no invitation for Astance, Levi Leipheimer won’t get to try to better his third place finish either.
On the bright side, Team Slipstream-Chipotle has earned a place in the starting line up for this year’s race.
Here is the complete list of invitees:
Ag2r-La Mondiale
Agritubel
Barloworld
Bouygues Telecom
Caisse d’Epargne
Cofidis
Crédit Agricole
CSC
Euskaltel-Euskadi
Française des Jeux
Gerolsteiner
Lampre
Liquigas
Milram
Quick Step
Rabobank
Saunier Duval
Silence-Lotto
Slipstream-Chiptole
Team High Road
Joel Price
Sad. I won’t be watching this year. Why can’t the ASO ban riders who break the rules instead of taking one team and making it an example. Pro cycling is in a sad state. Unfortunately, my only option is to vote with my eyeballs and not watch the TdF.
Any chance the ASO can still invite Astana?
Eric Swan
Slipstream-Chiptole is in 🙂 hate to say it but “if” levi is not a doper he should have joined slipstream
Matt Butts
Thanks for the great information. *stumbles*