AG2R launched in France

French ProTour squad AG2R la Mondiale has had its official launch in La Mondiale, Boulevard Haussmann in Paris. The squad has brought in several new big names this season, including Sébastien Hinault and Nicolas Roche.

"Sebastien is a rider experience that reinforces the group, in particular in terms of the Flanders classic," said Vincent Lavenu. "He will be a driving force behind the team, on which most young riders can build."

The seven new riders to AG2R this year are Alexander Efimkin, Sébastien Hinault, Guillaume Bonnafond, Blel Kadri, Gatis Smukulis, Nicolas Roche and Aurelien Clerc.

AG2R picked up Hinault and Roche from rival French squad Crédit Agricole, following the latter's closure at the end of 2008. The team has also hired Vladimir Efimkin's brother Alexander, who rode for Quick Step last season.

AG2R la Mondiale for 2009: Guillaume Bonnafond, Aurélien Clerc, Alexander Efimkin, Sébastien Hinault, Blel Kadri, Nicolas Roche, Gatis Smukulis, Jose Luis Arrieta, Cyril Dessel, Renaud Dion, Hubert Dupont, Vladimir Efimkin, Martin Elmiger, John Gadret, Stéphane Goubert, Tanel Kangert, Yuriy Krivtsov, Julien Loubet, René Mandri, Lloyd Mondory, Rinaldo Nocentini, Cédric Pineau, Alexandr Pliuschin, Stéphane Poulhies, Christophe Riblon, Nicolas Rousseau, Jean-Charles Senac, Blaise Sonnery, Ludovic Turpin and Tadej Valjavec.