It is beyond any discussion that Carlos Betancur of Ag2r La Mondiale has had an outstanding 2013 season. Although it came as a surprise that exceedingly talented Colombian secured a two-year contract with a French team instead of being signed by one of the major World Tour squads, the passing season proved the combination to be the effective one.

24-year old Betancur has shown some of his potential during Vuelta a Pais Vasco, where he finished in top 10 overall and was surpassed only by compatriot Sergio Henao of Sky Procycling on one among race’s difficult mountainous stages. As the future told, the best achievements were yet to come for the young Colombian, whose impressive fighting spirit and unprecedented explosiveness allowed him to take 3rd and 4th places in la Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege respectively. Less than one month later Ag2r la Mondiale rider turned out to be not only a courageous puncheur perfectly suited for Ardennes Classics, but a promising future GC contender, while he finished 5th in the Giro d’Italia, overcoming extremely unfavorable conditions, having won la Maglia Blanca for the best youth rider and three times being agonizingly close to claiming still awaited stage victory.

Interviewed by Revista Mundo Ciclistico, Betancur positively evaluates his first year in the outfit of the French Ag2r la Mondiale team. The Colombian from Bolivar is particularly satisfied with his first part of 2013 season containing his impressive performances in Ardennes Classics and the Italian Grand Tour. Although the young rider was rumored to experience various problems, including lack of motivation and issues concerning health and family matters, speaking to Colombian media Betancur leaves the impression that an indistinct second half of the year was rather a price he was ready to pay than unwelcomed surprise.

“The balance is very positive for me, it has been the best year of my short career. I feel very satisfied with the work I have done with the AG2R La Mondiale and I think this brings a huge motivation to be transferred into results ahead of 2014 season,” Betancur told Revista Mundo Ciclistico

“They [the team] are pleased, quite happy and satisfied with the results that were obtained primarily in the Giro d'Italia and the Classics. I can admit that together with the whole team, we are approaching the upcoming season with a great motivation.”

“I'm quite pleased with the final achievements, as it is very difficult to maintain a peak condition throughout the whole season, it is extremely difficult to do well all year. I'm still a young rider and I am glad I rode in every race the best I could,” the Colombian spoke very vaguely about his second half of the 2013 season.

Although the final schedule has to be confirmed on the first training camp of the French team planed for December, Betancur is very certain regarding his main objectives for 2014 as well as he reveals the first outline concerning his starts during spring months.

“No doubt I want to ride the Tour de France. I know what it takes to finish the Giro d’Italia or Vuelta a Espana, but the Tour remains as an experience I’m still missing, while certainly we'll be there with Ag2r. I want to acknowledge how well I’m able to adapt to this particular race and with a help of the God, I’ll ride my first Tour next year.”

“I have already spoken with the team and told them I wanted to ride the Tour, that it’s a goal that motivates me. They told me that I would and although I’m about to finalize my schedule for 2014 on a training camp starting next week, for now I’m certain about my participation in the Tour de France.”

Colombian cyclist explains the reasons of his latest impressive performances in Ardennes Classics and reflects on his preparations preceding his Tour de France debut.

“I really like the races of their [Ardennes Classics] kind, I adapt easily to the challenges they offer. I’m going to have a build-up part identical to the one I underwent last year, beginning with Tour de San Luis in January, then I’ll ride the Classics, the Vuelta a Pais Vasco and Tour de Romandie as a last race before returning to Colombia to prepare for the Tour de France .”