Greipel returns to the Tour with Arkea Samsic

French teams Arkea-Samsic and Direct Energie have been selected for the final two 2019 Tour de France wildcard slots joining Cofidis, Wanty-Groupe Gobert and the 18 WorldTour outfits.

Andre Greipel. Source: Getty

The Arkea-Samsic selection means perennial fan favourites sprinter Andre Greipel and climber Warren Barguil will suit up on 6 July 6 in Brussels.

The news gives Greipel, in particular, a welcome second chance to reclaim past glory after he took a step down to the ProContinental level following a long and successful tenure with WorldTour team Lotto Soudal, where he won 11 Tour stages.

“I was on the bike when I got the news, it’s fantastic, not just for me but for the whole team and the sponsors," he said.

"Last year, I took a chance when I joined Arkea-Samsic, I wasn’t sure I would ride the Tour de France and at the beginning of the season, I did not bring the results that were expected from me.

"The Tour de France has always been a dream for me and I have often performed there. Last year I was disappointed not to reach Paris and not to win a stage.

"I am happy to be back on the greatest race in the world to give everything and get a good result. I feel lucky that I will discover the Tour riding for a French team."

Teams for the 2019 Tour de France

AG2R La Mondiale (FRA)

Astana (KAZ)

Bahrain-Merida (BRN)

BORA-hansgrohe (GER)

CCC Team (POL)

Cofidis (FRA) 

Deceuninck-QuickStep (BEL)

Direct Energie (FRA)

EF Education First (USA)

Groupama-FDJ (FRA)

Lotto Soudal (BEL)

Movistar (ESP)

Mitchelton-Scott (AUS)

Arkéa-Samsic (FRA)

Dimension Data (RSA)

Jumbo-Visma (NED)

Katusha-Alpecin (SUI)

Team Sky (GBR)

Sunweb (GER)

Trek-Segafredo (USA)

UAE Team Emirates (UAE)

Wanty-Groupe Gobert (BEL)