Duval & Albers join Ro

ByEurosport

Published 18/11/2005 at 12:28 GMT

Citroen's Rally of Australia winner Francois Duval and Dutch Formula One star Christijan Albers have agreed to compete together at next month's Race of Champions at the Stade de France in Paris. The dup will form the Benelux Team and will compete uniquely in the Nations Cup competition.

Although this will be Christijan Albers' first participation in the Race of Champions – Nations Cup, François Duval was a regular contender in the event's final years in the Canary Islands where he qualified for the semi-finals three times in a row between 2001 and 2003.

"I've heard so much about this race from Jean Alesi," said Albers. "It's an honour to be the first Dutch driver to be invited and take part. I'm really looking forward to it, and to teaming up with Duval for Benelux. My aim's clear: to win."

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In addition to his contribution to Citroën's third consecutive manufacturers' World Rally title, François Duval also became the first Belgian to win a WRC round in Perth on November 13th and is looking forward to flying his country's flag in the 2005 Race of Champions.

"Although I have previous experience of the event, I have never competed in the Nations Cup phase of the competition," he says. "I wasn't at the Stade de France last year either, so that will be new for me. I'm looking forward to it very much and I will be bringing plenty of supporters with me from Belgium!"

The other national squads already announced for this annual clash of motor sport champions from across the world are Brazil, Finland, France, Great Britain, Scandinavia and the USA (see below).

Race of Champions