After a successful 2015 season marked by the stage wins of Romain Bardet and Alexis Vuillermoz atthe Tour de France, AG2R La Mondiale goes into 2016 with the same ambitions.

"It was a superb 2015 season two victories in the Tour de France that brought us incredible emotions," manager Vincent Lavenu told Cyclingpro.net when asked to draw the balance. "The potential is there with our growing young riders. We made some changes. Like in other team sports, you should know not to transform the group as you both need the leaders who are able to win races but also the team members who have filled their role in allowing those leaders to win. You should know how to reward those people. Everything works, but we still wanted to add some new riders."

Ag2r have signed Jesse Sergent, Cyril Gautier and Francois Bidard for the new season.

"Cyril Gautier is a brave boy who never gives up and that is our mindset," Lavenu said. "He is very appreciated by our riders. We got in touch with him five or six years ago but he had joined [Europcar manager Jean-Rene] Bernaudeau at the time. 

"As for Jesse Sergent, the first contact was made in Canada. His profile is interesting because he is a rouleur but also a classics rider and we need that kind of guy to protect our leaders. I think the French teams are a little afraid to sign Anglo-Saxon riders. Finally, we reached an agreement and he is a good signing. 

"François Bidard proved himself at the Chambery Cycling Team. We have signed him because he deserves it. He is a boy who gives everything everywhere. He has been tested as a stagiaire twice and has always met our needs. It is not known if he will be a great rider but what is certain is that he will be a good rider, ready to help and to show the jersey. He already has a certain maturity at 24 years of age and he can make a good career. He will certainly discover a Grand Tour this year."
 

Lavenu already has a clear idea about his goals.

"We have some expertise so we must remain focused on what we can do," he said. "We have leaders who are strong so we will target the Tour and the Criterium du Dauphiné. Domenico Pozzovivo is also a very interesting rider for the Giro and Tirreno-Adriatico. Finally, the Ardennes classics are now a target as we have been doing well there for two or three years. We count on Alexis Vuillermoz and Romain Bardet."