HUNT SIGNS FOR CREDIT AGRICOLE

Briton Jeremy Hunt has signed a one-year contract with Credit Agricole. The French ProTour squad has signed the former national champion and 2002 winner of the GP Ouest France with the aim of helping Thor Hushovd in the bunch sprints, although they have said Hunt will also have his own cards to play in the spring Classics.

Hunt signed the deal on Saturday morning in the World Championships in Stuttgart with Credit Agricole manager Roger Legeay. With Hunt?s current team, Unibet.com, ending this winter, the new contract ensures the 33-year-old remains in the ProTour and in a position to race top events in 2008.

?We wanted someone to help Thor, and Jeremy is ideal for that - experienced, versatile and able to work in all sorts of different races.? Legeay told CW?s website.

?But Jeremy is able to win races in his own right as well. We?re delighted to have him on the squad.?

A professional since 1996 - when he rode for Banesto in Miguel Indurain?s last year - Hunt has raced for two French teams in the past, Big Mat and MBK-Oktos.