Nicolas Roche has extended his contract with the AG2r-La Mondiale team to remain with the squad for two more years. Rumors had the Irishman linked to a move over to the British Team Sky when his contract ran out, but he opted to stay with the French squad.
He began this year's Tour de France as the leader of the team for the general classification with a goal of finishing in the top fifteen. By the end of yesterday's 52 kilometer time trial from Bordeaux to Pauillac he had achieved just that, starting the celebratory final stage into Paris with his mission accomplished.
His best finish in this year's Grande Boucle was seventh place in the tenth stage that ended in Gap. Last year's race saw the then Irish champion on the attack, securing second and third place stage finishes along the way to Paris. He has been on the cusp of breaking through with a big win, and the 26 year old will ride with more confidence following a strong Tour.
Roche has always ridden for French teams, beginning his career with Cofidis as a stagiare in 2004, and then moving over to Crédit Agricole in 2007 for two seasons before moving to AG2r.