Charteau returns to Langkawi

This time Charteau will lead Team Europcar at Langkawi after winning the 2007 edition with another French team, Crédit Agricole.

“Le Tour de Langkawi has a special place in my heart”, said Charteau who cemented his 2007 victory with a breakaway victory on stage three to the Cameron Highlands. “But I’ve always wanted to ride Le Tour de Langkawi again despite the long trip from France."

He defended his lead after that stage victory and later proved himself to be a climber to watch after winning the King of the Mountains (Polka Dot Jersey) title of the 2010 Tour de France.

Joining Charteau is Yohann Gene who the last stage in Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, in 2009. “Malaysia has the same kind of hot and humid climate as Guadeloupe where I come from”, said the 30 year old who became the first Frenchman from the Caribbean Islands to take part in the Tour de France last year.

Gene will act as the lead out man for Europcar’s Italian recruit Matteo Pelucchi who is the team’s new sprinter.

Europcar also comes to Malaysia with a specialist in the time-trial, Jerome Cousin, who was a key member of the successful 2011 Tour de France team alongside Thomas Voeckler and Charteau in the past two years.

The 10 day race runs from February 24 to March 4 and begins with an Individual time trial along a 20.3 km course in Putrajaya.

Europcar for the 2012 Tour de Langkawi:

Anthony Charteau (FRA), Mathieu Claude (FRA), Yohann Gene (FRA), Jerome Cousin (FRA), Cyril Gautier (FRA), Matteo Pelucchi (ITA).