After more than 30 years under the leadership of Vincent Lavenuthe team AG2R At the Worlds changed course in 2024. Indeed, in addition to the arrival of the new sponsor Decathlonthe French structure has changed its organizational chart and Dominique Serieys became the real boss of the Savoyard team. During a long interview given to our colleagues from the newspaper The Dauphinéthe former president of the rugby club Racing 92, Dominique Serieysreturned to many subjects, including the sidelining of Vincent Lavenu : “As there is a dispute, we do not have the opportunity to express ourselves. This is not mere talk, it is the law which prohibits us from doing so”he said.
Video – Vincent Lavenu at the microphone of Cyclism'Actu on the 2024 Tour
“The runners questioned themselves…”
The Héraultais also looked back on his team's exceptional 2024 season, with 30 victories on the clock and 6th place in the UCI rankings. But then, what was the paw Serieys ? “We spoke frankly. I had, in front of me and at my side, a team that was very attentive and accepted the remarks and analyzes that we were able to make. And in a very deep and sincere discussion , I asked a question: 'Why are you running?' There was hesitation. Then there were answers: 'It's to score UCI points'; 'the races are obligatory in the calendar'; , I told them: 'Everything you say to me is inaudible. When you take part in a race, it's to win.' From there, the riders questioned themselves. I also told them that they had to make the jersey shine. In the analyzes that I had seen, very often they were scattered in the second third of the peloton. I told them: 'You have to be in front, show the jersey and show that you want to win.' The number of riders (12) who won this year showed that something clicked.”
It now remains to confirm this next season. “We started on a five-year project with a year of 2024 of construction, a year of 2025 of consolidation. Then a three-year program from 2026 to 2028 which will be a period of ambitions. For 2025, the objective is to remain in the top 8 in the UCI ranking because 6th place is a very good result when we see the teams in front of us and those behind. The objective will also be to go between. 20 and 25 victories We are very happy with the 30 successes, but next year they must be of greater quality, we must seek victories in one-day, one-week events… Target. also the distinctive jerseys and continue to aim for the top 5 on the Grand Tours.”
Serieys at odds with other French teams
At a time when voices were raised in the French teams to denounce the concern over the “unfair competition” that they face on the transfer market, particularly because of social and employer contributions on salaries. Dominique Serieys et Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale remained behind. For a simple reason: the general director of the Savoyard training believes “disagree” with the other tricolor formations. Before explaining: “Cycling carries incredible values and international benefits. We cannot say to our partners 'you spend 20 or 25 million euros and you will not win'. If I make this kind of speech, I must have the honesty to tell them 'let's stop'”he said in his interview with The Dauphiné. For him, “the duty of team leaders is to convince their partners that the 30% additional budget will make it possible to achieve the set objectives.” Dominique Serieys considers that You trust, Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, Groupama-FDJ or TotalEnergies ont “the good budget”. But he deliberately excludes from his remarks Emmanuel Hubertgeneral manager of the team Arkéa-B&B Hotelswhich is in great difficulty. “We must think of him, take our hats off to him and support him”he says. “He is an artisan of cycling, he is alone with distinguished partners. He is really suffering.” A projection that the managers of other French teams will not fail to appreciate.
