Published June 28, 2010 01:15PM
Rinaldo Nocentini battled back from injury to return to the 2010 Tour de France with Ag2r-La Mondiale.
The Italian veteran was one of the breakout stories last year, carrying the yellow jersey out of the Pyrénées to enjoy one of the highlights of his career.
He started the 2010 season off in fine form, winning a stage at the Tour du Haut Var and taking second overall at the Tour Med in February, only to suffer a multiple fracture in his right leg, breaking his tibia, fibula and several bones in his foot. He returned to competition at the Tour du Suisse earlier this month.
Nocentini is one of three non-French riders on Ag2r. Also lining up with be stage-hunters Nicholas Roche and recently crowned Swiss champion Martin Elmiger.
The rest of the team are French attackers and stage-hunters who will be looking to get into breakaways to animate the race and have a shot at a stage victory.
Left off the squad was French attacker Cyril Dessel, winner of a Tour stage into Jausiers in 2008.
Ag2r La Mondiale for Tour de France: Christophe Riblon; John Gadret; Maxime Bouet; Dimitri Champion; David De Lay; Lloyd Mondory (all FRA); Nicolas Roche (IRL); Rinaldo Nocentini (ITA); Martin Elmiger (SWI).