Paris Dutch rider Johnny Hoogerland, who was hot by a car in last year’s Tour de France, will compete in the race this year with his Vacansoleil team, the Dutch outfit confirmed on Thursday.
Hoogerland had 33 stitches inserted to close deep gashes in his leg after the smash on the ninth stage last year, but he will return to target the top climber’s polka dot jersey from June 30 to July 22.
France’s Romain Feillu, who wore the yellow jersey in 2008, will not be competing for Vacansoleil, while Belgian Thomas de Gendt, third in the Tour of Italy, will skip the race because it clashes with his wedding plans.
Dutch rider Lieuwe Westra, second in the Paris-Nice last March and the Dutch national time-trial champion, will compete for the team which is participating for the second time in the world’s most famous cycling race.
Vacansoleil team
Kris Boeckmans (BEL), Johnny Hoogerland (NED), Gustav Larsson (SWE), Marco Marcato (ITA), Wout Poels (NED), Rob Ruijgh (NED), Lieuwe Westra (NED), Rafael Valls (ESP), Kenny Van Hummel (NED).
