Jonathan Hivert is an extremely talented yet enigmatic corridor. A rider with exceptional features who so far has failed to take the big leap that it is expected, given his talents.

After a superb 2013 season in the Sojasun team, with wins ahead of Valverde in Andalusia and the GC at Etoile de Besseges, the Frenchman won a ticket to the World Tour in the ranks of Belkin, but he went through 2014 virtually unnoticed.

With that perspective, he left the team and signed with Bretagne Séché for 2015: "In June I spoke with Belkin to know my future and was told that there could be further negotiations’ he told Ciclismo Internacional. "But they could not confirm anything before the end of the year and I did not want to wait, because it is very difficult to find a team nowadays.”

"With Bretagne things went naturally and we quickly came to an agreement," continues Hivert, who now share ranks with Argentine Eduardo Sepulveda, who he knows and believes "is a talented young runner".

Contrary to the majority, who cannot do enough to reach larger structures, our guest seems to prefer more familiar settings "Bretagne Séché is a good team in which I can do great things, a bit like going on Sojasun. I am very happy, I have many friends and a good relationship with everyone.”

However, Hivert is self-critical and knows his 2014 didn’t live up to expectations: "My year was discreet, I changed my training a little last winter and maybe that was not a good idea. I made many generic and pointless kilometers,” he explains. "I also participated in big races and that means it's harder to win and that lowers confidence," he said.

Nevertheless, we could see some glimpses of his ability in the second half of the year, when he had more power in the legs: "I felt better and so had two top fives in Arctic Race and 8th in Montreal. I ended 2014 well and I hope this puts me on the front foot for 2105."

"In 2015 only hope to do a good year. To be complete, I hope to win and I want to do my best."

At 29, he is in full maturity, but he believes he can still make progress, "Yes, even I have a margin. In fact, although not noted with Belkin, I feel I had a jump this year in my endurance. Although having more luck I'll settle.”

As can be seen, this admirer of Valverde is no ordinary athlete and is happy with his departure from Belkin, a team in which he was never comfortable, "It was not easy being in Belkin, there are many strong riders. Furthermore, I struggled to find my place and I had to work hard for others. At the end of the year I was better but I recognize that my level was not as expected.” He recounts.

"At least I found happiness at the end of 2014. I have to talk to the directors, but I want to start strong and be on form until May.”