What to expect this year
French team Ag2r-La Mondiale have invested in home riders over the winter, bolstering their hopes of one-day success in the process. They found victories hard to come by last season – recording just eight throughout the season, with only Christophe Riblon’s victory atop Alpe d’Huez at the Tour de France, and his stage win at the Tour of Poland which followed, coming at WorldTour level. However, they look well-placed heading into the new season with new signings Sebastien Turgot and Damien Gaudin likely to lead their one-day charge – Turgot was second to Tom Boonen at Paris-Roubaix in 2012, while Gaudin was fifth in the Hell of the North last year.
Elsewhere, Riblon has already proved his ability to win stages and with a better time trial he could have claimed the overall title at the Tour of Poland too. Colombian climbing ace Carlos Betancur’s Giro d’Italia white jersey, and top five finishes at La Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege showed his ability on the climbs, while Domenico Pozzovivo finished sixth at the Vuelta a Espana after his strong support ride at the Giro. Romain Bardet, aged just 23, is also a real talent for the future and could compete for GC success having won the Tour de l’Ain last year and finished 2013 by winning the white jersey at the Tour of Beijing.
Who’s new for 2014?
Maxime Daniel (FRA) from Sojasun, Alexis Vuillermoz (FRA) from Sojasun, Damien Gaudin (FRA) from Europcar, Sebastien Turgot (FRA) from Europcar, Patrick Gretsch (GER) from Argos-Shimano, Alexis Gougeard (FRA) neo-pro
Who has left?
John Gadret (FRA) to Movistar, Manuel Belletti (ITA) to Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela, Valentin Iglinskiy (KAZ) to Astana, Anthony Ravard (FRA) retired
Riders to watch
Carlos Betancur – a dark horse for the Tour de France, and certainly a contender in the Ardennes Classics
Sebastien Turgot – all eyes will be on Tom Boonen and Fabian Cancellara on the cobbles, but Turgot will want to make an early impression for his new team
Romain Bardet – certainly one to watch for the future, has already proved he has what it takes to win stage races
