Cycling: The Ag2r – Citroën team will become the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale team next season. Apart from the name, a lot will also change in the squad - we suspect: for the better.
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Felix Gall saves Ag2r – Citroën’s balance sheet
With only eleven wins this season in 2023, the Ag2r – Citroën team’s record is one of the worst in the WorldTour. Saved at the highest level Felix Gall his team. The Austrian won a stage in the Tour de France and a section of the Tour de Suisse. These were in addition to the stage win Aurelien Paret Peintre at the Giro d'Italia, the only victories in WorldTour races. While Ben O'Connor Although he was able to confirm his good development from the previous year but was unable to continue it, Felix Gall proved to be a real trump card. With five more podium places and eighth place in the overall ranking of the Tour de France, he is undoubtedly one of the rising stars of the season. The successes of are also worth mentioning Dorian Godon at the arrow of Brabant and von Nan's Peters at the Trofeo Laigueglia. Nicolas Prodhomme finished third in the Tour de l'Ain and Geoffrey Bouchard at the Tour of Oman. Respectable results, but overall the team management cannot be satisfied with the season's performance.
2024: Strong new arrivals are positive
Next year, Ag2r – Citroën will be competing under the name Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale. In addition to the name change, the sports management also tried a small change. greg van avermaet ends his career as well Michael Cherel and Michael Schar. The departures of these three professionals are very painful because they brought a lot of experience to the team. But this trio was no longer able to ensure success. Also the further departures – Marc Sarreau, Clement Venturini, Lawrence Naesen, Alex Baudin and Antoine Raugel – are absolutely unbearable when you take a closer look at the results. On the new entry side, however, we recognize some high-caliber players, which suggests that Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale will improve greatly overall. In the person of Sam Bennett you win an absolute top sprinter who, if in good form, can compete with the fastest men in the world. The experienced one Dries de Bondt and youngsters Gianluca Pollefliet could support the Irish in the stage victory mission. Pollefliet is considered a great sprinter talent. He will be able to develop further in Bennett's shadow. The list of new additions is completed by Sander de Pestel from Belgium and the two French Bruno Armirail and Victor Lafay. The last two professionals mentioned in particular will sustainably strengthen the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale squad. They are considered strong all-rounders who make any breakaway group significantly more dangerous.