Cazaux downgrades for 2013

Having not gotten his contract renewed with Euskaltel at the end of the 2012 season in sorry circumstances, Pierre Cazaux has been forced to step down to the amateur level for the upcoming season.

The Frenchman, who spent two largely uneventful years at the orange team after signing from Francaise des Jeux in the winter of 2010, has put pen to paper on a deal with amateur outfit GSC Blagnac, according to DirectVelo, reports BiciCiclismo. He'll be joined at the team by former Entente Sud Gascogne team-mate, 2012 Burgos BH - Castilla y León pro and neighbour and training partner Damien Branaa at a Blagnac team featuring the likes of Julien Loubet and Arnaud Labbe.

The 28-year-old completed the Giro d'Italia and donned the orange jersey more than 60 times this year, his best result being 15th overall at the Tour of Britain.