Defending 2006 Tour Down Under champion Simon Gerrans will lead the dynamic Ag2r Prevoyance team in defence of his title in January's race.

The quality field from France hit the streets of Adelaide and the regions of South Australia chasing back-to-back victories.

Race director Mike Turtur said Ag2r was only one of two teams to have ridden every Tour Down Under since 1999 and was delighted they would compete at the ninth edition of the race.

"Ag2r have won the Tour Down Under three times, first in 2000 with Gilles Maignan, followed in 2003 with Mikel Astarloza and this year with Australia's own Simon Gerrans.

"I spoke to Simon last night and he is really pleased with the team line up being sent to the Tour Down Under to help him defend his title," said Turtur.

"It is a world class Tour de France team, a strong rider line up and three of the eight riders competed at this year's Tour de France."

The Tour Down Under is an internationally accredited race, endorsed by the World Cycling Federation and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).

Ag2r Prevoyance team: Simon Gerrans (AUS), Cyrill Dessel (FRA), Ludovic Turpin (FRA), Yuriy Krivtsov (UKR), Samuel Dumoulin (FRA), Carl Naibo (FRA), Renaud Dion (FRA), Christophe Riblon (FRA).

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