Carlos Betancur goes into his third season at Ag2r-La Mondiale and again he will start his year at the Tour de San Luis. After a difficult 2014 – despite his victory in Paris-Nice – the Colombian hopes to return to his best level like in 2013 when he excelled in the Giro d'Italia – where he finished fifth and was best young rider – and in the Ardennes – where he was third in Fleche Wallonne and fourth in Liege

One day before the start of race in San Luis, Betancur shared his impressions with BiciCiclismo. He is focused on the Giro d'Italia and hopes to repeat his 2013 performance. The rest of his schedule has also been finalized: Tour de San Luis, Tirreno-Adriatico, Volta a Catalunya, Vuelta al Pais Vasco, Tour de Romandie and Giro d'Italia.

In San Luis, however, he has modest goals.

“It is about accumulating kilometres and get some race fitness,” he told the Spanish website. “The truth is that it is hard to arrive in top condition although I think that I am better than last year. It will be hard to be with the best but I will try.

“I have worked well after the training camp in Spain. I returned highly motivated and is eager to do well. I am on the right track for 2015.”

Betancur is convinced that he will be able to return to his best.

“I think so,” he said. “What happened last year has helped me to grow as a person and as an athlete. I think that I will achieve great things with the help of God.”

Asked about his goals in the four WorldTour stage races that he will ride before the Giro, he is very clear.

“To be the Carlos Betancur I was in the Giro d’Italia,” he said.

Surprisingly, Betancur will skip the Ardennes classics.

“I don’t think I will be there,” he said. “It's a shame, but it is better to do so to arrive in the best condition at the Giro d'Italia which is the main objective.”

In the Giro, Betancur faces a big challenge in the 60km time trial where he is likely to lose a lot of time.

“I'm training with my team and my coach Michele Bartoli,” he said. “In fact, we have made several tests and the idea is to work in that direction. So I think we will improve a little.”

Despite being up against Alberto Contador, Betancur claims not to be afraid of anyone.

“No, but I respect all of them,” he said. “You need to have respect for all riders. But I am not afraid of anyone.”