Ag2r got the Giro d'Italia off to the worst possible start as Domenico Pozzovivo crashed out of the race on stage 3. Forced to change their objectives, they chased stage wins with an aggressive Carlos Betancur who finished 20th overall.

"The Giro started in the worst possible way with Domenico's crash on the third day," sports director Laurent Biondi said. "This was an enormous setback. We lost our great leader. Still, we did a very good second week with a second place for Carlos Betancur (stage 11, ed.). 

"The end of the last week was very difficult. Carlos failed to follow the best in the past three mountain stages. In sporting terms, it was not a good Giro but we showed great spirit. We finished with 8 riders who fought every day. We were on the offensive in 15 breakaways and six places in the top 10. The level is very good in the Giro and with the abandonment of a leader, it becomes difficult to perform. For the next Giro, we will arrive with an even stronger team and a specific preparation."

Below, the 9 riders look back at their race.

Carlos Betancur

"For me, the highlight of my Giro remains my second place in Imola in stage 11. On that day I proved that I was competitive again after a difficult period. I was also happy with the team which always supported me."

Patrick Grestch

"The Giro began with a very hard time after Domenico's crash. When I saw him on the ground, I was afraid. My greatest satisfaction is of course my 4th place in the time trial. When I crossed the line, I had the best time and I'm pretty proud of myself."

Julien Bérard

"I rode to be at the front of the race. I wanted to make my break survive on the penultimate stage that included the Colle delle Finestre. It would have been great to cross the summit with the first."

Rinaldo Nocentini

"I was on the attack in stage 18. It was a beautiful moment in the front end of the race. I was pleased with that. As opposed to this, I will quickly forget the stage to Cervinia where I had cramps. I think I had the best feelings in the third week."

Matteo Montaguti

"The finish and the start in my home town of Forli will always stay in my head. I was at home and the next day I was on the attack in the stage that finished in Imola. Among the difficult times, there was the stage to Cervinia where I was on the attack but I was not able to follow the best on the category 1 climb and ended up in a very bad state."

Axel Domont 

"I gave everything I had in me when I was in the break in the 5th stage. There was something nice to do but it did not happen. I remember the passage of Colle Delle Finestre with spectators screaming at me. This was my highlight."

Hubert Dupont 

"There are two major moments for me in the Giro. On one hand the crash of Domenico where I forgot that I was in the Giro. Then there were my kilometres in the front of the race in stage 15 where I fought until the end."

Hugo Houle

"The start in San Remo with the team time trial was great. It was the beginning of my first Grand Tour. I had a great time with the passage of Colle Delle Finestre. It was crazy at the top but it was also really hard."

Domenico Pozzovivo

Domenico Pozzovivo who dreamed of the final podium in Milan, left the Giro in stage 3 after a bad crash. The Italian rider has resumed training and should be at the start of the Tour de Suisse.