Ag2r have signed Armee de Terre rider Julien Duval for the 2017 season.

“After four years racing with continental teams, I am very happy to be starting a new adventure," he said. "I understand what a great opportunity this is for me, and I hope to make the most of it. For the past two seasons, my goal has been to earn a spot on a UCI WorldTour team. I hope to be able to take part in the beautiful cobbled classics, and help my leaders to the best of my abilities.

"I am not coming into a completely unknown situation. I was a member of the same amateur club with Alexis Gougeard (USSA Pavilly Barentin) in Normandy, and we were stagiaires together. I also rubbed shoulders a bit with Quentin Jauregui and Rudy Barbier at the Roubaix Lille Métropole team.”

Duval is known as a punchy rider with a fast finish and has excelled in Coupe de France races.

“Julien Duval has given good performances this year throughout the French circuit," manager Vincent Lavenu said. "He has started to gain some good experience and has shown skill in the northern Classics. He will continue to develop in the WorldTour after several years at the Continental level, and feels a huge motivation ahead of this new challenge. His arrival closes out our recruitment campaign for the 2017 season."

In addition to the new signing, Christophe Riblon has extended his contract for another year. The 2017 season will be his 13th with the team. Matteo Montaguti, who joined the team in 2011, will continue his career with AG2R La Mondiale Pro Cycling Team until 2018.

The team will meet for a first training camp from November 14 to 18 at the Vaujany resort in the Massif de l'Oisans (Isère).

Julien Duval

Born May 27, 1990 (26 years old)
Professional since 2013 : Teams: Roubaix Lille Métropole (2013-2014), Armée de Terre (2015-2016)
Main results: 3rd place La Roue Tourangelle and La Polynormande (2016); 5th place Boucles de l’Aulne (2016); 6th place Tour de Vendée (2016)

2017 roster

Gediminas Bagdonas (LTU)

Jan Bakelants (Bel)
Romain Bardet
Julien Bérard
François Bidard
Mikaël Chérel
Nico Denz (Ger)
Axel Domont
Samuel Dumoulin
Hubert Dupont
Ben Gastauer (Lux)
Cyril Gautier
Alexis Gougeard
Hugo Houle (Can)
Quentin Jauregui 
Pierre Latour
Matteo Montaguti (Ita)
Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita)
Christophe Riblon
Alexis Vuillermoz

New signings
Rudy Barbier
Clément Chevrier
​Benoit Cosnefroy (from August 1st)
Julien Duval
Sondre Holst Enger (Nor)
Mathias Frank (Sui)
Alexandre Geniez 
Oliver Naesen (Bel)
Nans Peters
Stijn Vandenbergh (Bel)