Management

AG2R LA MONDIALE (ALM) - FRA

In 2008, the team AG2R becomes AG2R LA MONDIALE. This change of name occurs as a result of a closer liaison between the two insurance companies AG2R and LA MONDIALE.

AG2R dominated the Dauphine Libéré stage race in June thanks to Christophe Moreau and was perhaps the strongest of the French UCI ProTeams. Moreau has moved to Agritubel for 2008 but team manager Vincent Lavenu is convinced new signing Vladimir Efimkin can fill Moreau’s shoes.

Efimkin won a key mountain stage of the Vuelta a España in 2007 and was overall leader in the Spanish stage race for several days. He confirmed his stage race potential by finishing sixth overall in the Vuelta and was sixth overall in the Tour of Switzerland in June.

Italy’s Rinaldo Nocentini had a quiet 2007 but is determined to be back to his best in 2008 and will again lead the AG2R team in the classics and hilly races. He will be supported by Cyril Dessel, Christophe Edaleine, Sylvain Calzati and Ludovic Turpin.