Cycling: after 20 years at AG2R, Montpellier's Stéphane Goubert leaves the French team

Stéphane Goubert, ici sur l'Etoile de Bessèges en 2023, ne sera plus directeur sportif de Decathlon-AG2R en 2025. MIDI LIBRE – ka shabut katya

Stéphane Goubert, directeur sportif d'AG2R depuis douze ans, quitte l'équipe française après vingt ans d'aventure en commun.

In 2024, AG2R saw its two most loyal characters leave the adventure. After the forced departure of the historic boss, Vincent Lavenu, it was Stéphane Goubert's turn to say stop. Unlike the first, it was the 54-year-old from Montpellier who chose to stop.

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“After spending 6 seasons as a rider and then 13 as a sports director within our team, we sincerely thank you for all your commitment and professionalism, during all these years.
We wish you the best for the future”, wrote a press release from the team on Tuesday, December 31.

Entering a new era since the arrival of Decathlon and the new general manager Dominique Serieys (originally from Ganges) this year, the French team has taken a completely different turn. Which cost Lavenu the head, and probably, the hasty departure of Goubert.

In 2024, Decathlon-AG2R had a record season with 30 victories. Its leader Ben O'Connor showed the way on the grand Tours with a 4th place overall on the Giro and a 2nd on the Vuelta. On the Tour of Spain, he wore the red jersey for thirteen days. But the 29-year-old Australian has signed with Jayco Alula in 2025, leaving a void among the general classification riders.

Uncertain future

“Gouby”, an AG2R rider between 2004 and 2009, notably finished 14th in the Tour de France in his final year. Since 2012, he has been in management, as sports director.

This season, Stéphane Goubert officiated at the Giro and the Vuelta. Two successful races for the French team.

The future of the Montpellier rider is still unknown. Nothing has been leaked about a possible reconversion or a rebound in another team.

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