AG2R happy with Dauphiné

AG2R La Mondiale was happy with its performance at the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré. General Manager Vincent Lavenu declared, "On the bottom line we are very happy with the great victory of Cyril, a sixth place in GC and the second place in the teams classification. And even today [Sunday - ed.] the riders were concentrating on attacking, with Christophe Riblon in the break of the day. A bit of a regret, too, as I think he did a youngster's mistake by attacking them in the [final] col, which has certainly cost him a potential victory. But Christophe will learn from situations like this, with races on a very high level and making tactical mistakes."

Lavenu added that "the team is on the rise. Cyril is getting back to his best level and Vladimir Efimkin has progressed in this Dauphiné. Unfortunately, John Gadret was sick and he couldn't go to his limits, but the team is well and overall the race was satisfactory."

Cyril Dessel had his own comments about the race. "The principal favourites of the Tour were in this Dauphiné, so I think I have every reason to be satisfied. I need to recover now, as I spent a lot of energy, getting the stage victory and that sixth place in GC to defend. Now, I will try to a good French National Championships and good Tour de France."

For the Tour, Dessel is hopeful, although he cautions that "you don't have to put me amongst the favourites. There are three or four riders who are above my level. With the way I am currently feeling I can hope to do something and why not re-live the great moments like in 2006?"

Dessel had a struggle to get back to the top. "One can say I am came from very far, and already there is a big satisfaction to return to this level, because only sixth months ago it was far from certain."