With seven new signings, Ag2r have been one of the most active riders on the transfer market.

Rudy Barbier (23 years old, Roubaix Lille Métropole), Oliver Naesen (25 years old, IAM Cycling), Stjin Vandenbergh (32 years old, Etixx Quick-Step), Mathias Frank (29 years old, IAM Cycling), Sondre Holst Enger (22 years old, IAM Cycling), Clément Chevrier (24 years old, IAM Cycling) and Alexandre Geniez (28 years old, FDJ) have all signed a two year contract with the team.

Furthermore, Benoit Cosnefroy has just signed a two year and a half contract with the team He has been part of the Chambéry Cyclisme Formation, the feeder team, since last August. He will join the professional team from August 1, 2017. He is following the path of Nans Peters who will be a member of the professional roster from January 1, 2017. 

Manager Vincent Lavenu explains the many new signings.

"Sometimes, in a professional cycling team you need to set the cat amongst the pigeons. Over the last few years we have tried to stabilize our roster but, maybe, this approach has had sometimes a negative impact on our results. For instance, this season has not been as successful as expected," he said. "That is why we wanted to strengthen our team but always in a way that respects our cycling philosophy. Our main purpose was to diversify our roster for the Classics and especially for the next Belgian Classics."

Lavenu is still ambitious for the final part of the season, starting with the classics in Canada for which the team has announced the roster.

"I would like the best possible results to improve our position in the UCI WorldTour ranking. Our riders will have to win the upcoming races just like Olivier Neasen, one of our new recruits, did in Bretagne," he said.

"It is substantial to win a UCI WorldTour race and we expect our rider to be fully aware of it. The Vuelta was complicated for us at first but now, with Jean-Christophe Péraud fighting for a top 15 result, and Jan Bakelants, we are in a good momentum.
 

"It is always a pleasure to ride the two UCI WorldTour races IN cANADAbecause of an exemplary organization and an amazing atmosphere. Both routes are really technicAL and top riders like Peter Sagan and Greg Van Avermaet participate. From our side, we lined up a solid roster around Romain Bardet and I am sure our strategy will bear fruit. "