12/08/2024

Ben O'Connor and Felix Gall combine for ambitious Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale at 2024 Vuelta a Espana

Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale have been one of the most impressive teams during the 2024 season, taking a team record number of wins. In the final Grand Tour of the year, the French-based outfit take a highly ambitious lineup to the 2024 Vuelta a Espana.

Leading the general classification charge will be the soon departing Ben O'Connor, in his final Grand Tour for Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale after four years at the team. Alongside the Australian however, will be Austrian climber Felix Gall, who didn't quite live up to expectations at the Tour de France earlier this year, finishing 14th overall.

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A third strong climber and potential general classification threat, comes in the form of Valentin Paret-Peintre. Like O'Connor, the Frenchman is reportedly set to leave Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale at the end of the season with Soudal - Quick-Step the supposed destination. Also similarly to O'Connor, Paret-Peintre was impressive earlier this year at the Giro d'Italia, helping his team leader to 4th overall and finishing 16th in his own right.

With the team completed by time trial specialist Bruno Armirail, former Tour de France stage winner Victor Lafay, Belgian talent Sander De Pestel and the Frenchman, Clement Berhet plus former Vuelta King of the Mountains winner, Geoffrey Bouchard the team has capabilities to compete against the very best.

"We are going to the start of the Vuelta Ciclista a España with an attractive and solid team. Ben O'Connor will be the leader and Felix Gall the co-leader, with the objective of a top 5 in the general classification. They will lead a well-armed collective, with riders who have an interesting profile both in a role of teammate and as contenders for the stage victory, which is the other objective," assesses the team's Cyril Dessel to the official website. "The route of this Vuelta Ciclista a España is difficult and mountainous, without however presenting many very high mountain stages. It is a Tour for climbers and climbing adventurers, which suits our squad well. The riders approach the race with a lot of motivation and enthusiasm. They have done a good preparation, for the most part during a training camp in Tignes last month. The state of mind is very good, the lights are green."