The French professional team AG2R for 2009 was presented today in Paris. Team boss Vincent Lavenu comes into 2009 with high expectations for the Tour de France building on their success in 2008.

Slovenian Tadej Valjavec and Russian Vladimir Efimkin finished tenth and eleventh respectively in the Grand Boucle last season, and Frenchmen Cyril Dessel won a stage.

New additions for 2009 include Alexandre Efimkin, Vladimir’s twin brother, and the promising young Irishman Nicolas Roche who celebrated his first professional win last season. Roche also placed second on a stage in last years Vuelta.