In a few days, the Giro d’Italia will start! CyclingQuotes offers you an interview with Axel Domont. This French rider, who was only 24 years old, will start his second three-week race with Ag2r-La Mondiale. His role at the Italian race will be to help Domenico Pozzovivo to finish again in the top 5.

He told also about his first years in the World Tour level. We wanted to know also his point of view about the Ag2r-La Mondiale doping cases.

CyclingQuotes: At first, Axel, how are you? Do you still suffer your left collarbone?
Axel Domont: Fine, thank you ! Indeed, this season I broke my left collarbone (five times in my career) because of a crash at GP Le Samyn. I still have a few muscular aches in my back et my shoulders. My collarbone is always very fragile. Apart from the bad luck, I do not really find a reason of these injuries.

CQ: How did you feel about those first years in the World Tour level?

A.D. : This is a great life experience! I have lived some difficult moments but generally, I take a lot of pleasure.

CQ: You have been selected for the Giro d'Italia. This is your second appearance at the Italian race. What did you learn last year?

A.D. : The last year, Giro d'Italia was my first three-week race. I discovered and learned many things, including the management of race days and the recovery. This year, I come back with a little more experience. I love Italy, Giro d'Italia is for me the most beautiful race in the world.

CQ: How did you prepare this race? Have you had time to spot a few stages?

A.D. : No, I did not recognize the Giro route, but I know some roads and climbs. With my coach, we learned managing the recovery period. I think be at a good level for the start, on saturday.

CQ: What is your personal goal?

A.D. : I would like to finish the race, but especially to take maximum pleasure! I'm here to help my leader, Domenico Pozzovivo, and to try my chance into breakaways. If I succeed to be at front of the race, my goal will be to cross the finish line the first.

CQ: You will meet on thi race Clément Chevrier, a former colleague of Chambéry Cyclisme Formation. Have you kept in touch with the IAM Cycling rider?

A.D. : Clément is a good friend. We have the same coach and we ride together when our program coincides.

CQ: What are the goal of your team? Domenico Pozzovivo will be your leader. How does he feel? What may he hope?

A.D. : Domenico is our leader for the general classification. He finished 5th last year, I think his goal is to repeat this result and why not do better.

We have a good and homogeneous team. Rinaldo (Nocentini), Matteo (Montaguti) and Domenico are very experienced on the three-week races. Hubert (Dupont) and Carlos (Betancur) are strong climbers. Patrick (Grestch) and Hugo (Houle) are doing well in time trial. For the links between riders and the daily job, Ag2r La Mondiale will count on Julien (Bérard) and me.

CQ: When you have Domecino Pozzovivo in the team, may you have the possibility to be at the front of race?

A.D. : Of course, nobody will prevent a teammate to win a stage! There are days when you have more chance to go at the end.

CQ: In your mind, who will win the Giro d'Italia?

A.D. : With Richie Porte and Alberto Contador, we will have a great fight.

CQ: With three tested positive in three years (Houanard, Georges, Mondery), the AG2R-La Mondiale team has experienced difficult times. How did you get through this period?

A.D. : To be honest, after the Lloyd Mondory case, I really thought to have lost my job. I felt a mixture of anger and fear. But we have the chance to have a partner who supports us 100 per cent and that makes the difference between cheaters and real riders.