Having clocked up the most significant win of his career in July when he raced solo to the top of Alpe d’Huez, scooping a win which was greatly appreciated by the home crowd as it was the only French victory in the race, Christophe Riblon has signed a new contract covering the next three years.
The 32 year old rider has inked a deal to stay with his current Ag2r La Mondiale squad until the end of 2016. It continues a pro career spent entirely with the team; Riblon signed for the squad in 2005 and has remained there ever since.
“I’m very proud to wear the colours of the Ag2r La Mondiale team for three additional years,” said Riblon. “I want to thank Vincent Lavenu and our sponsors who trust me for nine years and who are still present at my side.”
In addition to his Alpe d’Huez success, Riblon also won a stage and finished third overall in the Tour de Pologne. Having found a new confidence, he aims to keep the momentum going.
“I want to build on the great results I obtained this summer and to pay the team back for the trust they have shown,” he said. “I know I’m able to obtain excellent results on World Tour one-week races. I also think about one day races as Milano-San Remo.”
Lavenu states he is pleased to have reached a new agreement with Riblon, and appreciates his loyalty. “He not only accomplished an amazing feat this year but he is also an essential and an important rider in our team,” the former pro said. “He has a long story with us. He always defended the colors of the Ag2r La Mondiale team with enthusiasm and honour and this agreement is natural.”
Meanwhile the team has also extended its current deal with the Canadian rider Hugo Houle, who moved to the squad prior to the start of this season after his SpiderTech team stopped. The 22 year old has settled in well and Lavenu will keep him on board until the end of 2015.
“We noticed throughout this first year alongside Hugo that he has many qualities, both physical and human,” he said. “Therefore, it was natural to offer him a two-year contract extension.”
Things didn’t go too smoothly for Houle this year, but Lavenu saw enough to want to keep him. “His first season with us was disrupted by some falls and physical problems,” he explained. “He deserves to have the opportunity to show what he is able to do at the highest level through competitions as World Tour races and then, continue to grow within our Ag2r La Mondiale team.”