Carlos Betancur was significantly slowed down at the beginning of 2014 season due to reported weight problems, but punchy Colombian managed to bounce back with splendid performances in the middle spring, winning Tour du Haut Var and Paris-nice general classification with three stages claimed in the process. However, the 24-year old Ag2r La Mondiale rider experienced several highly disappointing showings since then, forced to pull out of the Volta a Catalunya, Vuelta al Pais Vasco and Liege-Bastogne-Liege, and the French team reported serious problems with reaching him after he returned to Colombia with decreased morale.

In such circumstances, according to French media, Ag2r may be forced to exclude Betancur from their Tour de France roster even though the explosive Colombian was expected to be one of team’s captains for the even, after he didn’t return to Europe as it was planned on June 3, and most likely he won’t take part in his only build-up even towards the French grand tour, Tour de Suisse held from June 14.

It was not the first time when Betancur prolonged his stay in Colombia, nor when he suffered problems with motivation and training regime while returning to South America. However, it may bring eventually bring very serious consequences for the highly talented rider, since the Ag2r La Mondiale management has become frustrated by the situation.

“Even his coach, Michele Bartoli, was unable to contact him,” team manager Vincent Lavenu told La Provence.