RAGT riders looking out for new teams

French Continental team RAGT Sémences is happy with its riders' recent performances, especially Renaud Dion's several top ten placings at the Régio Tour. Dion finished 6th, 9th and 3rd in the first three days of the German stage race, and said he made this improvement by training behind a scooter in July.

"It seems to work for me," he said. "But I'm basically too light anyway to be classified a sprinter, although I can do a reasonable job in small group finishes. My technique involves sort of sneaking in through the back door, rather than taking on the heavy weights."

As the team sponsor will cease its activities in cycling at the end of this season, all of the team's riders are currently looking for a new squad to take them on. "Lots of our riders deserve to remain pro," said RAGT sports director Jean-Luc Jonrond.

Dion is hopeful that he will find a new contract soon. "For the time being, I cannot imagine anything other than continuing on the pro circuit," he explained. "But it's a tough year to find work. I reckon I still have my rightful place on the circuit. I'm conscious that I'm not the only one in this situation, but you have to believe in your lucky star." So does Ludovic Martin, pointing out, "Every year, the telephone has ended up ringing, even when I thought there was no hope left..."