PARIS, June 27, 2011 (AFP) – Cofidis have called up Mickael Buffaz and Romain Zingle to replace French duo Damien Monier and Nicolas Vogondy in their team for the Tour de France which starts on Saturday.

Explaining the decision manager Eric Boyer told AFP on Monday: “Damien Monier is seeking his (best) form and it’s a similar story with Nicolas Vogondy.”

Monier won a stage on the 2010 Tour of Italy while Vogondy was French time trial champion last year.

Boyer added: “We know what we’re getting with Romain Zingle, who was at his best in the Tour of Spain last year, and Mickael Buffaz.”

Listing his team’s targets for the 2011 Tour he said: “The white jersey for the best young rider (for Rein Taaramae), the polka dot jersey for best climber (David Moncoutie) and a stage win.”

Cofidis team
Mickael Buffaz (FRA), Samuel Dumoulin (FRA), Leonardo Duque (COL), Julien El Fares (FRA), Tony Gallopin (FRA), David Moncoutie (FRA), Rein Taaramae (EST), Tristan Valentin (FRA), Romain Zingle (BEL)