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Decathlon AG2R heads to Vuelta a España with strong team: "The route suits our squad well"
CyclingMonday, 12 August 2024 at 11:51
Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale is heading to the Vuelta a España with a team packed with climbing power. The French squad has selected riders like Ben O'Connor, Felix Gall, Geoffrey Bouchard, Valentin Paret-Peintre and Clément Berthet for the last grand tour of the year, and they have significant ambitions.
Sporting director Cyril Dessel described the selection as an "attractive, solid" team. "Ben O'Connor will be the leader and Felix Gall the co-leader, with the aim of finishing in the top 5 overall. They will be leading a well-armed team, with riders having an interesting profile both as a team player and as a contender for stage victory," he said, referring to riders like Bruno Armirail. Belgian rider Sander De Pestel will be making his grand tour debut.
"The route of this Vuelta is difficult and mountainous," Dessel added. "It's a Tour for climbers and baroudeur climbers, which suits our squad well. The riders team is approaching the race with a lot of motivation and enthusiasm. They have prepared well in Tignes. All lights are on green," he said with confidence.
O'Connor wants to end time with Decathlon AG2R on high note
O'Connor is set to begin his final race as a Decathlon rider before moving to Jayco AlUla next season. "I didn't take part in the Tour de France because I had a baby daughter, so I had time to prepare for the Vuelta. I live in Andorra, where I did a few intensive weeks. I'm feeling good, in good health and ready to tackle the second half of the season. My aim is to race like I have all year, to be in the top five overall. I'm also hoping to win a stage after having already lifted my arms in the Giro and Tour de France."
"This will be my last Grand Tour with the team, so I want to finish on a high note and give it everything I've got right up to the end to give back to my teammates, who will help me achieve a good overall position. I hope we'll have something to celebrate in Madrid, it'll be a special moment."
Co-leader Gall, with his climbing profile, also has high hopes for the Vuelta. "I took a break a week after the Tour de France and went to Austria for a bit, which did me good. Since then, I've been training well and I'm ready for my first Vuelta, which I'm really looking forward to. It's the first time I'm going to link these two races together, so I'm highly motivated. I'll be there to support Ben, who is aiming for the general classification. I'll also be concentrating on the stages. There are a lot of mountains on the schedule, which suits my profile."
Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale selection Vuelta a España 2024
Ben O'Connor
Felix Gall
Sander De Pestel
Victor Lafay
Bruno Armirail
Geoffrey Bouchard
Clément Berthet
Valentin Paret-Peintre
Felix Gall
Sander De Pestel
Victor Lafay
Bruno Armirail
Geoffrey Bouchard
Clément Berthet
Valentin Paret-Peintre
Il Lombardia 2024
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Latest Comments
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024