Ag2r have selected a formidable roster for one of their biggest home races, the Paris-Nice which kicks off on Sunday. Led by Carlos Betancur and Romain Bardet, the team has several strong climbers and an in-form punchy sprinter Samuel Dumoulin who will excel on the kind of course that this year's edition of the race offers.
Ag2r-La Mondiale have had a very successful start to the season and they are now ready to continue their momentum in one of the most important events on their calendar, the Paris-Nice. Unsurprisingly, the team has put together a roster consisting of some of their strongest riders.
Romain Bardet and Carlos Betancur will lead the team after recently winning the Drome Classic and the Tour du Haut-Var respectively. With the race having no major summit finishes and no time trials, the course is perfectly suited to the two punchy climbers.
They will be supported in the hills by Maxime Bouet, Alexis Vuillermoz, and Mikael Cherel while Sebastien Minard will keep them safe on the flat stages. For the sprints, the team have an in-form Samuel Dumoulin and new signing Sebastien Turgot.
At the same time, the core of the team's Tirreno-Adriatico roster will tackle a pair of Italian one-day races. Tomorrow they will line up in the GP Camaiore where Rinaldo Nocentini and Matteo Montaguti will lead the team. They will be joined by climber Hubert Dupont and versatile riders Guillaume Bonnafond, Ben Gastauer, Julien Berard, and Axel Domont while sprinter Davide Appollonio continues his comeback from injury on the hilly course.
On Sunday, the team will defend their title in Roma Maxima but defending champion Blel Kadri won't be in attandence. Instead, the team will be almost identical to the one for Camaiore, with Domenico Pozzovivo being brought in as a replacement for Domont as the Italian climber needs an extra race ahead of Tirreno.
Finally, the team will also line up in the Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen which starts on Friday. For the sprinter-friendly race, they will be led by Yauheni Hutarovich and Maxime Daniel while time trialists Christophe Riblon and Hugo Houle will have their eyes on the opening prologue. The team is completed by some of their classics riders, with Steve Chainel, Gediminas Bagdonas and youngsters Julian Kern and Alexis Gougeard completing the roster.
Ag2r for Paris-Nice
Carlos Betancur, Romain Bardet, Maxime Bouet, Alexis Vuillermoz, Mikael Cherel, Samuel Dumoulin, Sebastien Minard, and Sebastien Turgot
Ag2r for GP Camaiore
Rinaldo Nocentini, Matteo Montaguti, Davide Appollonio, Ben Gastauer, Hubert Dupont, Axel Domont, Julien Berard, and Guillaume Bonnafond
Ag2r for Roma Maxima
Rinaldo Nocentini, Matteo Montaguti, Davide Appollonio, Ben Gastauer, Hubert Dupont, Domenico Pozzovivo, Julien Berard, and Guillaume Bonnafond
Ag2r for Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen
Yauheni Hutarovich, Maxim Daniel, Hugo Houle, Gediminas Bagdonas, Christophe Riblon, Julian Kern, Alexis Gougeard, and Steve Chainel
Samuel APPELTAUER 27 years | today |
Sarah TEN HARTOG 38 years | today |
Marika PLAGENZI 37 years | today |
Harrison WILES 29 years | today |
Jhoan Sebastian RAMIREZ 24 years | today |
© CyclingQuotes.com