I suppose a bit of effort now will save you time at the end of the season when updating the TeamSkyFans new signings ...  ;D

I do a massive amount of stuff on wiki, mostly sky related. half my updates though i forget to sign in so they get credited to my ip address. ~~~~

ive only added a bit but its enough to give some background to answer the question to people who wonder where the hell he came from.

Thank you, although you've slightly dampened my enjoyment. Tell me, why did they keep mentioning Manosque in conjunction with El Fares? or did i miss-hear it?
I know Manosque a bit, and if you're ever in the area, AOC Pierrevert is well worth spending hard earned Euros on; better than Rhone Villages and cheaper than water.

No worries! I do like the Var region, although there are too many gas-funded Russians down there and it's become a bit too touristy these days.

They were talking about Manosque a lot simply because that's El Fares' hometown - I only learned this fact thanks to that same commentary  - so that would make him a local favourite in the eyes of the regional broadcast unit. Great ride by him despite being hampered by what has to be the worst kit-bike-helmet colour combo in the peloton. Watching TT1-Sanofi is like seeing club riders in mismatched outfits infiltrating the pros' Sunday run. ;D

That's what I assumed but when I checked on Wikipedia, it said he was from Aix, so wanted to be sure, to be sure. Maybe Dim needs to head on back there with his editing hat on?

Spent a lot of time in Var as a kid, Six-Fours and environs and the attractions are plain to see. But I was blown away by Alpes de Haut Provence, stunning.

Agree about the El Fares outfit, a big step down from Cofidis in more ways than one.

Just wanted to say thanks a lot for the wine tip - and that's a thread starter if ever there was one. Not seen any of that down my local Delhaize but I'll keep an eye out and I'll swoop if I spot it. I do like a vinicultural adventure!