Veikkanen set for Australia's Tour Down Under

Sydney (AFP) - Finland's Jussi Veikkanen is set to feature in the FDJ line-up for this month's Tour Down Under, with the French team making their 10th appearance at the season-opening race in South Australia.

Veikkanen, Finland's national road race champion, finished 10th at the 2013 Santos Tour Down Under in and around Adelaide.

He is expected to be a strong contender for the Ochre Jersey, which is awarded to the rider with the fastest cumulative time at the end of each stage and to the overall leader at the end of the race, organisers said.

Race director Mike Turtur said FDJ always brought a competitive team to the race.

"Joining Veikkanen is French rider, Jeremy Roy who was awarded the Most Aggressive Rider jersey on Stage 13 of the 2011 Tour de France," he said.

FDJ is led by team director Frederic Guesdon and also includes riders Arnold Jeannesson, Olivier Le Gac, Lorrenzo Manzin, Cedric Pineau and Sebastien Chavanel.

The Tour Down Under will be held between January 17 to 25.