Cycling: The 2016 season is about to start and we take this as an opportunity to take a closer look at all 18 WorldTour teams of the 2016 season. Starting today, we'll be scrutinizing a racing team every day: who's coming, who's going? Which material is driven? What are the goals for the season? First up is the French team from AG2R La Mondiale.
AG2R La Mondiale overview
Last season was a real rollercoaster ride for the French team of AG2R. With the positive EPO test by team rider Lloyd Mondory in the spring, a health-ailing Jean-Christophe Peraud and the bad fall of Domenico Pozzovivo at the Giro, the first half of the season was truly something to forget for the racing team. But the drivers around the two leaders Peraud and Romain Bardet managed to turn things around. Alexis Vuillermoz and Romain Bardet achieved two stage wins on the tour and the team was also able to celebrate a stage victory for neoprofessional Alexis Gougeard at the Vuelta.
The management managed to keep the team together for 2016 to a large extent. Only the departure of Carlos Betancur to Movistar leaves a small hole. As with so many teams, the big goal of the season should be the Tour de France, where Romain Bardet should once again show his Grand Tour skills. The now 25-year-old will appreciate the very mountainous profile of the Grand Boucle 2016 and so it is not surprising that the sixth of the 2014 Tour will be the sole captain.
With Domenico Pozzovivo, Alexis Vuillermoz and of course Jean-Christophe Peraud, the team also has a few other drivers on the roster who could ensure one or the other day's win.
AG2R La Mondiale – Transfers
departures
Carlos Betancur (Movistar), Rinaldo Nocentini (unknown)
Additions
Nico Denz, Cyril Gautier (Europcar), Francois Bidard (Neo), Jesse Sergent (Trek Factory Racing)
AG2R La Mondiale - Team bikes and equipment
team bike: As in the previous year, the French team will start with frames and wheels from the German manufacturer Focus. The top model Focus Izalco Max has one of the lightest frames in the peloton and has already carried Peraud, Bardet and Co. to some successes in 2015. In the time trial, the men on the Focus Izalco Chrono Max take a seat
components: The drive on the wheels of AG2R also comes from 2016 SRAM, the impellers of ZIPP. So we will probably be able to admire the wireless eTap shifters from SRAM on some of the riders from the French team in the coming year.
disc brakes: Should an AG2R rider decide to start with disc brakes, the conditions are better than most other teams. With the Focus Izalco Max Disc, a tried and tested, light bike is available and both SRAM and ZIPP have the appropriate components in their range.