CyclingQuotes.com Nine Ag2r riders detail their plans for the Tour de France

According to you the Tour de France is…
“A special moment in my career especially after my victory in 2013 and the yellow jersey I wore during the following days. It was my first participation and it was an intense memory. Now that I know the taste of victory on the Tour, I really would like to win again.”

Vincent Lavenu’s word:

“Jan is a true all-terrain rider. He is a real fighter who is always ready for the battle. On the Tour he will also be at the service of the team because he is great climber and he is able to win a stage. His team spirit is an asset for our roster.”

Romain Bardet (Fra)

Born November 9th, 1990
25 years old
Professional since 2012

Palmares:
4 victories including one on STAGE 18 of the Tour de France 2015

Season 2016:
43 days of competition with 9 podiums

10 top 5

24 top 10

Tour de France:
4th participation
9th place overall in 2015 and 6th place overall in 2014

According to you the Tour de France is…
“The peak of the season and sometimes it could be the peak of a career as well. The Tour is the only one race in the world which has a sports and a cultural prestige. The Tour de France is a true emotional rollercoaster beyond compare. The proof of it is my previous Tour where I knew as well a failure as a victory in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. I cannot wait to start a new adventure.”

Vincent Lavenu’s word:
"Romain will be our sole leader for this Tour de France. Recently, during the Criterium du Dauphiné, he showed great attacker skills. He is only 25 years old but he gained in experience and maturity. He raised his way to ride a notch to such an extent that, now, he is among the best riders of the world."

Mikäel Cherel (Fra)
Born March 17th, 1986
30 years old
Professional since 2008

Season 2016:
41 days of competition with 1 podium
3 top 5
6 top 10

Tour de France:
4th participation

According to you the Tour de France is…
“I have been dreaming for a long time to start the Tour de France from my native lands. In the past the Tour brought me great emotions and I truly hope this new edition will bring me the same kind of feelings. I wish my experience could benefit our roster and I would like to assist Romain in the mountain stages."

Vincent Lavenu’s word:
"Mikael is a substantial cog of our team especially in hilly stages. He will be a valued teammate for Romain in the mountains! Last year, he proved ha had the rider abilities for a Grand Tour by finishing in the Tour top 20 while he did a fantastic job as a teammate."

Samuel Dumoulin (Fra)

Born August 20th, 1980
35 years old
Professional since 2011

Palmares:
27 victories including 3 of Tour de France 2008

Season 2016:
39 days of competition with 3 victories
5 podiums
8 top 5
13 top 10

Tour de France:
12th participation

According to you The Tour de France is…
“Last year, I took the decision to stop the Tour and I had never thought I would come back. Obviously, it is a personal satisfaction which represents the outcome of all the sacrifices I have been doing since the beginning of the season. For this 12th participation I will be the road captain of the roster. I am taking on me this responsibility and I am proud to start a new adventure in this wonderful team. I will why not play my card right during a few stages.”

Vincent Lavenu’s word:
"It is a great pleasure to welcome him again in our roster. Samuel recently demonstrated he was ready to ride again the Tour de France. He is the perfect road captain who is able as well to motivate his teammates as channel the leaders. His experience is extremely valuable."

Ben Gastauer (Lux)
Born November 14th, 1987

28 years old
Professional since 2010

Palmares:
2 victories

Season 2016:
40 days of competition with 2 top 10

Tour de France:
3th participation

According to you the Tour de France is…
“The event of the year! I am glad to ride the Tour de France for the third time in a row! I hope I will be up to the event in order to play my part properly for the team.”

Vincent Lavenu’s word:
“He is a faithful and devoted rider who will always help the team. He is also able to be the third man of the general classification like two years ago! He is a multipurpose rider with amazing physical abilities. For sure, he is essential for the good running of our team during a Grand Tour."

Cyril Gautier (Fra)

Born September 26th, 1987
28 years old
Professional since 2007

Palmares:
4 victories

Season 2016:
41 days of competition with 1 victory
4 top 10

Tour de France:
7th participation

According to you the Tour de France is…
“Always an honor to participate to the biggest race in the world. I am proud to start the Tour for the first time with AG2R LA MONDIALE team. Our group is really working well and I am sure we have the opportunity to do great results together. I will give all I can for the team."

Vincent Lavenu’s word:
“Cyril joined us this year and he showed great puncher skills. He is also a fantastic teammate who is helping the team with a lot of enthusiasm. He has the capacity to assist the leaders in the mountain and he could win a with a puncher finish. His Tour de France experience will be an asset for our team as well."

Alexis Gougeard (Fra)
Born March 5th, 1993
23 years old
Professional since 2014

Palmares:
7 victories including one at stage 19 of the Vuelta 2015

Season 2016:
43 days of competition with one top 10

Tour de France:
1st participation

According to you the Tour de France is…
“A dream! I am really proud to start the Tour de France especially from my native region, the Normandie! My early season was a little bit complicated but I am feeling better now. That is why I want to give the best of myself as a teammate. If I can play my card right in a breakaway, just like on the Vuelta 2015, I will not hesitate a second.”

Vincent Lavenu’s word:
“A warrior! Last year, during his first Grand Tour, he proved on the Vuelta he was able to win a stage! During the previous season, he was the best rider of the team regarding his number of victories. He is a hard nut to crack who is not afraid to fight. He will be truly useful to protect our leaders."

Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita)
Born November 30th, 198233 years old
Professional since 2005

Palmares:
12 victories including stage 7 on the Giro d’Italia in 2012

Season 2016:
52 days of competition with

1 podium
2 top 5
14 top 10

Tour de France:
1st participation

According to you the Tour de France is…
“The biggest cycling race in the world and it is a personal satisfaction to finally ride its roads! I think I recovered well from the Giro and I cannot wait for the Tour de France to begin. My task will be to assist Romain as far as possible in the mountain stages. I am eager to discover the French climbs."

Vincent Lavenu’s word:
“Even if he is discovering the Tour de France, Domenico has a great knowledge of the Grands Tours. He might be impressive in the high mountain stages, therefore, he will be a valuable asset in the climbs. He will assist Romain in the tactical moments but a good general classification could be contemplated."

Alexis Vuillermoz (Fra)
Born June 1st, 1988
28 years old
Professional since 2013

Palmares:
5 victories including one on stage 8 of the Tour de France 2015

Tour de France:
3th participation

According to you the Tour de France is…
“A childhood dream and a race that makes you live strong emotions just like my victory of last year! On the other hand I also lived hard times. My first Tour de France in 2013 happened during my first year of professional cycling therefore I discovered many things. Now I am coming with more experience and the will to win again."

Vincent Lavenu’s word:
“His early season was quite difficult for him but now he is getting back in shape. His recent third place overall during the French National Road Race Championship was an amazing result. Last year his victory in Mur de Bretagne was really stunning. He is one of our best punchers but he is also able to be at the service of the team."

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