Ag2r have announced the signing of French sprint talent Rudy Barbier from the Roubaix Lille Metropole team.

Barbier won the Cholet Pays de Loire earlier this year.

"After three full seasons at the continental level, I'm really excited to join the team AG2R La Mondiale in the UCI WorldTour," he said. "I haven't realized my luck yet and I hope to live up to expectations. I will address this new experience with humility but with a desire to do well. I'm young, I still have things to learn and I will discover new races. Of course, the Northern Classics make me dream and I hope I can express myself there and bring things to the group although I am well aware that it goes very fast! 

"I know I can benefit from the experience and advice, especially from Samuel Dumoulin. I hope to play my card in some sprint finishes."

Manager Vincent Lavenu added:

"Rudy is a young rider for the future. For me, he is just behind the best trio in France, Demare, Bouhanni and Coquard. He showed nice things this year, especially with his victory at Cholet Pays de Loire. He has good speed and with his young age, he can still improve in the hierarchy. We also count on him for the cobbled classics."

The team also announced that it has signed two-year extensions with Mikael Cherel, Hubert Dupont, Axel Domont and Jan Bakelants.