AG2R CITROËN Team announces first six riders for 2021 Tour de France

Thursday, June 10th, Vincent Lavenu, General Manager of the AG2R CITROËN Team, revealed the names of the first six riders selected for the 2021 Tour de France. Also present for the unveiling were representatives from the title partners of the team AG2R LA MONDIALE and CITROËN.

The final two riders will be announced after the national championships on June 20th.

“This team will combine experience and youth. It has an abundance of talent, drive, and is capable of the greatest successes, whether we are hunting for stages or focusing on achieving the best possible position in the general classification with riders like Aurélien Paret-Peintre and Ben O’Connor. I can’t wait to be at the start in Brest with these riders,” Vincent Lavenu said.

“These first riders who have been selected by Vincent Lavenu make it clear that it will be a very good team that shares the same values, particularly a commitment to their performance and a team solidarity. Everyone at the AG2R LA MONDIALE company will be behind them to support and encourage them throughout the Tour de France. We hope to see at least one of our riders raise his arms in victory on one or more stages,” explained André Renaudin, CEO of AG2R LA MONDIALE.

“The riders selected by Vincent Lavenu bring together a wealth of talent, experience and fighting spirit, combined with the team spirit essential to succeed in a competition as demanding as the Tour de France. The men and women of Citroën and its network will be wholeheartedly with them to make our colours shine on the stages of the Tour”, says Vincent Cobée, CEO of CITROËN

The First Six

Benoît Cosnefroy – 25 years old – France

3rd participation

Wore the King of the Mountains jersey for 15 days in 2020

“After a start to the season that was thwarted by knee pain, Benoît has regained his best level thanks to his fighting temperament. We know he can bring us great joys and be one of the top French riders for the Tour de France 2021.”

Bob Jungels – 28 years old – Luxembourg

4th participation

11th in 2018

“Bob has great talent and has a solid track record. When he’s at his best, he has the ability to win the best races. We will count on his experience and his physical strength to shine at the Tour.”

Oliver Naesen – 30 years old – Belgium

6th participation

“Oliver has been a part of the team since 2017 thanks to his talent and good humor. He has often finished highly placed in stages and has also been invaluable when we have needed to position and protect our leaders at key moments. This will again be an important attribute when we are crossing France from east to west in the first week.”

Ben O’Connor – 25 years old – Australia

First participation

“Ben is a very talented rider who has shown great things in tough races like the Tour de Romandie and the Critérium du Dauphiné. We already knew his qualities as a rider, especially since he won a stage last year at the Giro. Subsequently, though, we have found him to be a delightful man who should certainly shine in his Tour debut.”

Aurélien Paret-Peintre – 25 years old – France

First participation

“Aurélien will ride his first Grande Boucle after having had a very encouraging first part of the season, which included a victory at the GP La Marseillaise. He will go with the general classification in mind, but without setting a specific goal. We will count on him being strong in the mountains, and who knows, maybe be able to go for a stage victory.”

Greg Van Avermaet – 36 years – Belgium

9th participation

3 stage victories 2015 (TTT), 2016 and 2018.

Wore the yellow jersey 2016 (3 days) and 2018 (8 days)

“Greg came to the team preceded by his reputation and immediately fit in with ease. He has already won stages and worn the yellow jersey at the Tour. This will again be his goal with us, while also playing the mentoring role of “older brother”, which is a role he does wonderfully.”