AG2R-La Mondiale appeared to be arguably the most improved WorldTour squad in the first months of the 2014 season, not only with all their leaders presenting splendid disposition and winning races, but second-row riders in the likes of Alexis Vuillermoz stepping up to a higher level carried by a wave of rediscovered team confidence. Manager of the French outfit, Vincent Lavanu, expressed his satisfaction with latest appearances of their riders and revealed some of the plans regarding the near future, including the Tour de France leadership.

With all four AG2R key-riders – Domenico Pozzovivo, Carlos Betancur, Romain Bardet and Jean-Christophe Peraud sitting inside top 30 of UCI WorldTour individual rankings and ten races won on their account from the beginning of the 2014 season, Lavanu is convinced that few years of a consequent work on building the French squad eventually started to bear fruits.

“It’s a feeling of being rewarded for the work we started several years ago, that it pais off. Reaching a top level requires discovering a magic formula, it does not always work immediately. We are the third strongest WorldTour team now, but it was earned by winning great events like Paris-Nice for the first time with Carlos [Betancur]. That brings a lot of peace,” Lavanu told Ouest-France.

Peraud has been flying last couple of weeks, with victory in the Criterium International overall classification and podium spots at the Tour Mediterraneen or Vuelta al Pais Vasco – thanks to his great time trial on event’s ultimate day. However, the 36-year old Frenchman insists that his disposition is not better than last season and a huge confidence boost brought by AG2R early successes is responsible for respectable results obtained by their riders.

“I’m not sure whether his level is exactly the same as last year. Jean-Christophe seems better than last year when he crashed out of the Tour de France (…). We lacked success. We rapidly gained it this season with several different riders and it’s certainly reassuring,” Lavanu explained.

Satisfied with highly respectable recent performances of Peraud or Betancur, the AG2R manager prefers to concentrate on the future, particularly on the Ardennes and the Tour de France. Despite some uncertainties caused by his latest heal problems, Lavanu confirmed that the 24-year old Colombian will participate in the hilly classics while in-form 36-year old Frenchman is expected to lead the squad in the French grand tour.

“Obviously, Carlos Betancur will step up. He trained well following his withdrawal from the Vuelta al Pais Vasco and he gets better. He will ride Amstel, La Fleche and Liege.”

“Jean- Christophe Péraud will be the number one for the Tour de France, supported by two aces, particularly Carlos Betancur and Romain Bardet.”

“Carlos have to discover this event. He has ambitions, already speaks of the white jersey and certainly will be able to contest it with some additional pressure.”

“By then, Jean-Christophe will ride the Tour de Romandie. This kind of race suits him well, especially with its mountain chrono.”

Even though the complete AG2R roster for the season’s first grand tour is yet to be determined, it is already certain that Domenico Pozzovivo will lead the French team at the Giro d’Italia, supported by frying Alexis Vuillermoz and Maxime Bouet.

“For the Giro, Domenico Pozzovivo will be out leader. He is highly motivated after finishing 10th in 2013 and then 6th in the Vuelta. He will be joined by Alexis vuillermoz and Maxime Bouet,” Lavanu concluded.