Carlos Betancur is certainly the one to watch in the Paris-Nice following his steady progress in the first two months of the season, concluded with the cunvincing yet surprising overall victory in the Tour du Haut-Var in late February. The 24-year old Colombian has both good climbing legs and a truly impressive kick in the uphill finales what makes his perfectly suited to excel on the novel route of the Race to the Sun, while his co-leadership position in the Ag2r roster had to be even strengthened after Romain Bardet lost over one minute today, at the first stage of that event.

Betancur suffered badly with reported six kilos over his optimal weight while kicking off 2014 season in Argentina, but managed to improve the condition very quickly as he performed well on the Tour Mediterraneen’s decisive ascent to finish 11th in general classification and added a stage and overall victory in the Tour du Haut-Var a week after – his first in the Ag2r-La Mondiale outfit.

Thus, the punchy Colombian expressed optimism about his chanced in the Paris-Nice, it turned out, however, that he was forced to travel home after his last appointment and returned to Europe on Friday.

“I think everything went goes well. Following my victory in the Haut-Var I am very motivated to continue in Paris-Nice.”

“The problem is I had to return to Colombia and returned yesterday [on Friday]. It is a little uncomfortable, but I’ll try to do a good Paris-Nice,” Betancur confessed to Biciciclismo.

“Victory in the Haut-Var has given me a lot of motivation to continue my work in the same line. For me it was very important as it has been my first success with the Ag2r.”

Even though the 24-year old Ag2r leader visibly was still far from his optimal physical shape while oversprinting no less of a figure than John Degenkolb on his way to the victory in Haut-Var, the Colombian admitted he felt satisfied with his disposition in the second half of February.

“I do not know whether it was my 100% or not, but it was clear that, for example, I was much more competitive than in San Luis. The truth is that I felt very comfortable, especially on climbs.”

“Already at the last stage of the Tour Mediterraneen I had a very good feelings. I had a training camp between those two races and quickly realized how much I had improved,” Betancur explained

As he has emphasized on several occasions, Betancur is rather reluctant to set himself very particular goals, and so it is a case for the Paris-Nice. As the Ag2r co-leader the punchy Colombian hopes for both a stage victory and a good spot in the general classification, but acknowledges that even though he was able to train during his stay in Colombia, the difficulties surrounding long travels will most likely affect his performances to some extent.

“I’ll try to do my best. In Colombia I was able to undergo proper training, but I fear of how the long travel and time change will affect my condition.”

“In any case, a stage [victory] and a battle for general classification [are my objectives], although it will be difficult. Paris-Nice is a very prestigious race and contenders always come here in a good condition. For the team this even is also very important.”

During the interview for Biciciclismo, the Colombian rider has also confirmed his racing program with the Volta a Catalunya, Vuelta al Pais Vasco, all Ardennes classics and Tour de Romandie being on his agenda.

“This is the highest level of the discipline. My ambition is to do things possibly well, as usual, and the rest will come. In the first part of the season Ardennes are my greatest objective,” Betancur concluded.