Nicolas Roche, of Credit Agricole, has signed a two-year contract with ProTour outfit AG2R, team manager Vincent Levenu said Wednesday.
Roche began his career as a professional with Cofidis before joining Credit Agricole in 2007. He is currenly leading the Tour du Limousin after an impressive solo win in Tuesday’s first stage. The young Irishman got into a breakaway at the 50k mark of the 170km first stage. Roche made his race winning move on the final climb leaving his his breakaway companions with 10k left to race. As the main field gobbled up the remnants of the breakaway Roche pushed forward spoiling the day for the sprinters.
“Nicolas is a rider for the future with important physical attributes. He already has a good bit of experience on the professional scene and has matured,” Levenu told AFP.
This is welcome news for the 24 year-old who, along with the rest of his Credit Agricole team, have been tasked with searching for new contracts as the long time sponsor leaves the sport.