Ag2R La Mondiale introduced its lineup at their Paris headquarters after completing the Santos Tour Down Under, the French team’s first pro tour race for 2010.


The lineup includes stars such as Martin Elmiger, Rinaldo Noncentini, Nicolas Roche, and Dimitri Champion, the French national champion. Team Ag2R La Mondiale looks to continue and improve upon its successful season last year. The 2009 season saw an impressive performance from Roche in the Tour de France, while Noncentini enjoyed a stint with the maillot jaune (yellow jersey).


After the Tour Down Under, Ag2R La Mondiale looks to their four star riders to net victories for the team in the upcoming Classics and grand tours. The team management also expresses confidence on the rest of their riders like Sebastien Hinault and David Lelay to provide support.


The team is preparing for their next race in the Grand Prix La Marseillaise, with Dimitri Champion leading them in the French season opener. The French team will also have Le Lay, Guillaume Bonnafond, Julien Loubet, Maxime Bouet, and Hubert Dupont to complete the roster for this race.[...]

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Lance Armstrong is setting his sights on another Tour de France championship, as foolish as it may sound to him and to others.

The famous American rider has earned a worldwide reputation for never saying never, and he has proven time and time again that his “don’t quit” attitude can translate into solid, tangible victories both on and off the saddle.

However, Lance was the first to admit in an interview that his thoughts of winning yet another Tour de France championship may be foolish. Nevertheless, he says that he is going to try and find out for himself.

The 7-time winner of the Tour de France concedes that this year’s Tour may be the toughest yet, and that the competition is better than ever.

While critics may think that Armstrong is just being headstrong, his competitors are saying that brushing off the American’s chances of winning the French tour would be ill-advised.

Dave Brailsford of Team Sky says that as long as somebody says Lance Armstrong can’t, then his chances actually increase.

Johan Bruyneel, Team RadioShack’s director, says that Lance Armstrong is looking fitter and riding faster at this time when compared to last year, so there is indeed a good possibility to his future on becoming a Tour de France champion again.[...]

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Two-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador is ready for the 2010 season, and says that he’s stronger than he was last year. “I see the power in my computer, and I see also (the power) of the last year, and this year is better,” he said. He also spoke about his change of bikes, from Trek to Specialized: “The main differences that I’ve noticed are that it (S-Works Tarmac SL3) seems like a much stiffer bike — so much so, that it can take a couple of days to get used to it.” He also says that he’s motivated by the competition for this year, and his first race will be Portugal’s Tour of the Algarve. “I think, in July, I will have a strong team to back me in the Tour de France,” he said optimistically.

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Spaniard Alejandro Valverde is eager to begin his 2010 season with his team, Caisse d’Epargne. The first half of his schedule is finalized, and he told Spanish daily El Mundo that he will kick things off with the Tour Down Under, and will also be at the Tour de France. After Australia, the Spaniard will go to the Tour Méditerranéen, Tour du Haut-Var, Paris-Nice, Vuelta a Catalunya, and Vuelta al País Vasco. Valverde wants to start off the season strong in order to be most competitive throughout the season. “We’ll see if I can be in better form at the Classics to continue fighting for a win,” he said. Valverde wants to do well in the Tour, but he acknowledges the fact that Contador will be hard to beat. “You have to be realistic – it won’t be easy to beat Alberto Contador. Nevertheless, in a 21-day race nothing is impossible,” he says.[...]

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According to Spanish newspaper El Periodico, the 2014 Tour de France may begin in Barcelona, Spain. It is said that the city council is having “very advanced relations” ASO, the Tour organizer. The Tour usually starts outside of France every other year, with 2010 starting in Rotterdam, Netherlands, 2012 in Liege, Belgium, and 2013 starting in Corsica, a French Island close to Italy. The newspaper also says that Barcelona would hold a prologue and at least one other stage before going back to France.[...]

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Norway’s Edvald Boasson Hagen will be making his Tour de France debut next year with the new Team Sky. “I’ll ride the Tour mainly to gain experience. My goal is to drive the race; I also hope to win a stage,” he said to Sporza.be. Boasson Hagen saw many victories in 2009; winning at Gent-Wevelgem, stages at the Tour of Britain and Tour of Poland, and the overall classification in Britain. He made his Grand Tour debut at the Giro d’Italia and also got the Norwegian Time Trial Champion jersey. The 22-year-old plans to race the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix in 2010. “I’m glad I can ride those races. My goal is to perform there where possible,” said Boasson Hagen.[...]

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Danish cyclist Martin Pedersen is no doubt having the best Christmas of his life, as his team, Footon-Servetto, guaranteed him a spot in the 2010 Tour de France. “It’s huge. I sit every year and follow the Tour de France on television. It’s a boyhood dream for all cyclists to be allowed to ride in the Tour de France,” Pedersen said to Danish TV 2 Sport. “I’ll try to take it quietly, but it is clear that this will really motivate me. Especially when it is cold and the snow comes down,” he adds. The 26-year-old will debut in 2010 after two years of absence, and he is excited about his first Grand Tour. “There must be big races and long stage race in order to reach a higher level as a cyclist,” he said.[...]

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