Carlos Betancur insists he isn't getting a 'second chance' at proving himself as a professional cyclist by riding for Movistar in 2016, instead the Colombian says it's just the continuation of his career.

Betancur was released from his contract at Ag2r La Mondiale in August, having struggled to regain the form he showed in early 2014, when he won Paris-Nice ahead of world champion Rui Costa.

But since then the 26-year-old has struggled with his weight and disciplinary issues, including missing a flight back from South America to Europe for the Tour de France, and his Ag2r contract was terminated by mutual consent.

"I do not think my signing [for Movistar] is a second chance for me - I see it as a continuation of my sporting career," he told Spanish newspaper AS.

"My goal is to do well wherever I go. I am a young man who has sacrificed so much, and the two years I suffered [at Ag2r] will not become an impediment to achieving big goals in the future."

Between March 16, 2014, and May 17, 2015, Betancur failed to secure a single top-20 finish, breaking his streak with a series of strong rides at the Giro d'Italia.

While it looked as if he may be back on track, Betancur never raced for the French outfit again after the final stage of the Grand Tour.

Movistar will use the Colombian as a domestique to Alejandro Valverde and Dani Moreno in the Ardennes Classics in April, before helping Valverde at the Giro d'Italia in May.

Despite working in a support role, Betancur hopes to be in a position to taste victory of his own again soon.

"Now I do not care where I raise my arms again. The next victory will mean a turning point in my career."

Colombian rider Carlos Betancur says he appreciates the experiences he had at Ag2r La Mondiale, but claims his new team, Movistar, is the more professional outfit.

In an interview on the Colombian Cycling Federation website, Betancur spoke of his excitement to work with Movistar boss Eusebio Unzue and his three fellow Colombians on the team.

And while he claims that Ag2r didn't appreciate the kind of rider he was, the 2014 Paris-Nice winner says that things should be much easier on the Spanish team.

"With Ag2r all the experiences were good – I think they they all contributed to my life," he said. "Now with Movistar the good things continue, but in a more professional manner and knowing how to do things. They know what type of rider I am, and I think they are much more professional in what they do. I think that now things are going to be much easier."

The 2016 Giro d'Italia route

He also said: "I'm happy to belong to the number one team in the world, and I believe that with a person like Eusebio Unzué, who knows me and my characteristics very well, great things are on the way for me and for Movistar.

"I believe that being in a team like Movistar will consolidate me as a rider. I had some problems with Ag2r and that made it hard to demonstrate what class of rider I am. But now with Movistar we are going to show the class of rider that I am."

Betancur's attitude was one thing that was called into question during his time at Ag2r, principally when he chose not to board a plane back to Europe for the Tour de France because he felt ill.

There's no doubting Betancur's talent, though, and the 26-year-old insists there are a lot of riders who he can learn from at Movistar - not least Colombians Nairo and Dayer Quintana and Winner Anacona, with who he predicts a great future.

"Now the big teams rely heavily on Colombian riders because they know we have a lot of talent. For me, Winner, Dayer and Nairo, I personally think it's a guarantee to be in a team like this and for them too. We will work well as a team."

Carlos Betancur will attempt to get his career back on track with Movistar in 2016, with whom the Colombian has signed a two year contract.

The 26-year-old burst onto the WorldTour scene in his first year with Ag2r La Mondiale in 2013 - finishing fifth overall at the Giro d'Italia and claiming top-five placings at Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

But after winning Paris-Nice in 2014 his career went a bit off the rails. After a training block back home in Colombia, Betancur missed his flight back to Europe for the Tour de France and was therefore left out of the squad.

When he did report back to the French team he was overweight and struggled to the end of the season. An unimpressive start to 2015 looked to end after several good performances in the breakaway at the Giro d'Italia, but it proved shortlived as he was released from his contract in August - having not raced since the Italian race.

A move to Movistar should see Betancur surrounded by some supportive figures, who - importantly - speak his native language.

The Spanish team boasts three Colombians - Nairo and Dayer Quintana and Winner Anacona - as well as a host of other Spanish speakers, whereas at Ag2r, Betancur was the only native Spanish speaker.

Should Betancur rediscover his love for racing and the form that saw him touted as a future Grand Tour winner he could fill the shoes of the departing Beñat Intxausti as a leader for short stage races and key domestique for the Grand Tours.

And at just 26, Betancur still has more than enough time to mature into a Grand Tour leader in his own right.

Carlos Betancur, winner of the 2014 Paris-Nice, is free to look for another team after coming to an agreement with Ag2r-La Mondiale to terminate his contract.

The Colombian had signed until the end of 2016, but will now be able to sign for a team for the rest of the 2015 season although his options may be limited by his lack of production in the past 18 months.

Just five months after his Paris-Nice win he finished second to last at the Vuelta a España, more than five hours behind winner Alberto Contador. This after finishing fifth overall in the 2013 Giro d'Italia.

Betancur has struggled with his racing weight in recent years and has reportedly preferred to spend time in Colombia rather than in Europe, like his team suggested.

Ag2r-La Mondiale team manager Vincent Lavenu said in a statement: “After several months, during which we have been unable to find a solution to help Carlos Betancur reach the same level of performance that allowed him to win Paris-Nice in 2014, we have decided, in agreement with the rider, to end our partnership.

“We come away with the memory of an endearing young man and a top-level rider whom we wish a successful future career.”

Betancur was recently overlooked for Ag2r's Vuelta a España squad but looked as if he had rediscovered some form in the last week of the Giro in May.

He got himself in several breakaways and climbed to sixth in the mountains classification, finishing 20th in the general classification.

“I would like to thank the Ag2r-La Mondiale team for its professionalism, trust, and support over the course of the past three seasons, during which I have experienced some fantastic sporting moments," he said in the statement.

“We have reached the conclusion that I need to make a change in order to pursue my career, and I am happy that we’ve been able to reach an agreement so that I can get a new start for another team.”

Carlos Betancur hopes to make his Tour de France debut in July, despite originally confirming he was preparing to ride the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España this season.

The Colombian has virtually fallen off the radar since winning Paris-Nice last season, missing the Giro and Tour, and finishing a lowly 158th in the Vuelta due to a reported illness.

>>> Carlos Betancur causes frustration with team after missed flight to France

In an interview with Colombian newspaper El Tiempo, the 25-year-old admitted this year’s Giro is not particularly suited to his style, with a 59km time trial included. Instead, Betancur suggested he will make the cut for Ag2r-La Mondiale’s Tour squad.

“[The Giro] will be difficult for me,” Betancur said. “I know that does not help me and so we are looking at doing the Classics and the Tour because of the issue of the long time trial in the Giro. In the end, the team will make a decision and I will accept it.

“I would prefer to do the classics, rest a bit and then do the Tour. The Giro d'Italia this year will be difficult with such a long time trial. On the other hand, it has some demanding finishes where I can do well.”

Betancur will not defend his Paris-Nice crown this year, with Ag2r instead taking the Colombian to the hillier Tirreno-Adriatico, where he will support team leader Domenico Pozzovivo. Before that, however, Betancur will line up in Saturday’s Strade Bianche.

Despite skipping a flight and missing races this summer, French team Ag2r will honour its contract and keep Colombian Carlos Betancur through 2016.

"We discussed the unrest and tensions until they eventually settled down," General Manager Vincent Lavenu told France's L'Equipe newspaper. "This is not a new beginning, but a start. He is still under contract until 2016 and he will stay with us, that's for sure."

When this year's Paris-Nice winner skipped his flight to Europe in June, it seemed too much for the French WorldTour team. Betancur said that he felt sick and decided not to board the airplane, but never told the team beforehand. An already complicated visa problem worsened and Betancur missed the Tour de France and nearly four months of racing.

"It's annoying," Lavenu told Cycling Weekly in June, "there are always problems with him."

Betancur joined Ag2r from Acqua & Sapone for the 2013 season. In 2013, he finished fifth in the Giro d'Italia, fourth in Liège-Bastogne-Liège and third in Flèche Wallonne. In 2014, he won Paris-Nice and the Haut Var-Matin stage race.

The 24-year-old is part of a wave of Colombians sweeping the mostly European sport. At the Giro d'Italia, Nairo Quintana (Movistar) won and Rigoberto Urán (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) placed second. Quintana is currently one of the favourites to win the Vuelta a España where Betancur is also racing.

"Betancur is special. I don't know if other Colombians are as complicated as mine," Lavenu said.

"One of the hardest things with Carlos is that he's attached to his home and he always wants to go home early to stay as long as possible. Staying in Europe has always been difficult for him. We communicate a lot with him but don't get much in return, that's very frustrating."

At the Vuelta though, Lavenu explained to L'Equipe that he and Betancur are trying to find solutions.

"He's not an easy boy, but you have to behave like a top athlete. I know he's homesick regularly, but he must learn to live with us and our philosophy, not his. If necessary, we can bring his family, his girlfriend to Europe, to make him feel less alone. During our talks, Carlos showed goodwill."

Ag2r, reported L'Equipe, will also announce that it signed Belgian talent, Jan Bakelants. Bakelants won a stage at the Tour de France in 2013 when he was still with team RadioShack and this year with Omega Pharma, won a stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné and placed 24th in the Tour de France.

Carlos Betancur causes frustration with team after missed flight to France

Paris-Nice winner Carlos Betancur misses flight to France and throws his Tour de France participation in doubt

Carlos Betancur wins 2014 Paris-Nice

French national champion Arthur Vichot takes final stage win as Carlos Betancur takes his biggest win to date

Carlos Betancur (Ag2r La Mondiale) skipped his flight from Colombia and put both his Tour de France and the rest of the season in doubt.

"It's annoying," Ag2r general manager Vincent Lavenu told Cycling Weekly, "there's always problems with him."

The 24-year-old Colombian and winner of this year’s Paris-Nice was due to arrive on Tuesday last week ahead of the Tour de Suisse. Instead, he said that he felt sick and skipped the flight.

With his visa to travel into Europe expiring on Thursday last week and little racing in his legs, his Tour de France debut is in doubt. Lavenu added that he might not even race again in Europe this year if he does not get to France soon.

"It pushes everything back. We can get an extension with the French, but if he doesn't show up by the end of the month, we have to start everything over again in Colombia. It’s put his whole season in doubt."

Colombians are riding to the top in cycling. Nairo Quintana (Movistar) just won the Giro d'Italia, Rigoberto Urán (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) placed second for a second consecutive year and Julian Arredondo (Trek Factory Racing) won the mountains classification and a stage.

"Betancur is special. I don't know if other Colombians are as complicated as mine," Lavenu said.

"Every situation is different, every rider's different, but it's true that one of the hardest things with Carlos is that he's attached to his home and he always wants to go home early to stay as long as possible. Staying in Europe has always been difficult for him.

"We communicate a lot with him but don't get much in return, that's very frustrating. He didn't take his plane, he said that he didn't feel good and wouldn't get on the plane, but at that point, you are dealing with something that already happened. That's not the way it should work, you should know beforehand. You just don't not get on the plane and not tell anyone."

Betancur appeared overweight for much of this season. After winning the Tour du Haut Var, he said he still had to lose six kilogrammes. After Paris-Nice, four.

Following Paris-Nice in March, Betancur pulled out of the Volta a Catalunya, País Vasco and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Liège-Bastogne-Liège, April 27, was his last race in Europe. It could now be a race for him to find a new home as his two-year deal with AG2R expires this season.

Lavenu did not comment on his contract, but continued to express his frustrations with Betancur. "Maybe he can win the Giro d'Italia one day, but it's really difficult to work with him."

Carlos Betancur wins 2014 Paris-Nice

French national champion Arthur Vichot takes final stage win as Carlos Betancur takes his biggest win to date

A delighted French public cheered their national champion Arthur Vichot (FDJ) as he won the final stage of this year’s Paris-Nice in the tricolore jersey, but it was the Colombian Carlos Betancur (Ag2r) who sealed overall victory.

Vichot won the sprint ahead of Jose Joaquim Rojas (Movistar), both of whom impressed again by surviving the stage’s many climbs. By edging Rojas to the line, Vichot also gained enough bonus seconds to overtake the Spaniard and Zdenek Stybar (Omeha Pharma-QuickStep), who had been dropped on the Col d’Eze.

Betancur and his Ag2r squad faced a series of attacks on the Col d’Eze (situated just 14 kilometres from the finish), the most threatening coming from Frank Schleck (Trek) and GC contender Simon Spilak (Katusha). At just 39 seconds down, Ag2r could not afford to let Spilak stay away, and when the Slovenian opened up a gap of 20 seconds with Schleck alarm bells were ringing.

Fortunately for Ag2r, other teams intent on defending the GC positions – including Movistar, who had surprisingly failed pressurise the French team with their duo of Rui Costa and Rojas – helped them set a pace at the front, and the pair were caught within the final kilometre.

In truth, Betancur was never really put under much pressure, with yet another attack from Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) 40 kilometres from the finish line easily nullified.

There were dramatic scenes at the finish as a crash took out Rui Costa, who, despite disgustedly pedalling to the line, still finishes second overall thanks to the rule that cancels any time lost to crashes in the final three kilometres.

But the Portuguese rider never looked like dethroning Betancur, who becomes the first ever Colombian winner of Paris-Nice. If he continues improving at the rate he currently is, this title will certainly be the first of many at WorldTour level.

British rider Simon Yates (Orica-GreenEdge) stayed with the front group in the hectic finale, placing 22nd on the stage and 44th overall in his first major WorldTour outing.

Results

Paris-Nice 2014, stage eight: Nice to Nice, 128 km

1. Arthur Vichot (Fra) FDJ in 3-06-56

2. Jose Rojas (Spa) Movistar

3. Cyril Gautier (Fra) Europcar

4. Damiano Caruso (Ita) Cannondale

5. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Belkin

6. Frank Schleck (Lux) Trek Factory Racing

7. Tom-Jelte Slagter (Ned) Garmin-Sharp

8. Carlos Betancur (Col) Ag2r

9. George Bennett (NZl) Cannondale

10. Eduardo Sepulveda (Arg) Bretagne-Seche Environnement all same time

Other

22. Simon Yates (GBr) Orica-GreenEdge at same time

Final overall classification

1. Carlos Betancur (Col) Ag2r in 35-11-45

2. Rui Costa (Por) Lampre-Merida at 14 secs

3. Arthur Vichot (Fra) FDJ at 20 secs

4. Jose Rojas (Spa) Movistar at 21 secs

5. Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Astana at 29 secs

6. Cyril Gautier (Fra) Europcar at 31 secs

7. Stefan Denifl (Aut) IAM Cycling at 35 secs

8. Simon Spilak (Slo) Katusha at 36 secs

9. Peter Velits (Svk) BMC Racing at 39 secs

10. Tony Gallopin (Fra) Lotto-Belisol at 41 secs

Other

44. Simon Yates (GBr) Orica-GreenEdge at 17-33

120. Luke Rowe (GBr) Sky at 1-23-21

Geraint Thomas withdraws from Paris-Nice after crash

Geraint Thomas forced to pull out of Paris-Nice after crashing in final five kilometres of stage seven on Saturday

Tom-Jelte Slagter takes second Paris-Nice stage win as Geraint Thomas crashes out of top 10

Nasty crash in final 5km of Saturday's stage sees Geraint Thomas drop well out of top 10 overall

Photo gallery: Paris-Nice 2014 stage 6

Images from the sixth stage of 2014 Paris-Nice, won by Carlos Betancur

Tom-Jelte Slagter (Garmin-Sharp) claimed his second stage win at this year’s Paris-Nice on a day of frenetic racing.

Carlos Betancur (Ag2r) held onto the leader’s jersey, and his main rival Geraint Thomas (Sky) suffered a nasty looking crash in the final five kilometres.

The Briton will be frustrated at having to concede his strong position in such unfortunate circumstances, but his thoughts now will turn to recovering in time for the major classics. He looked downtrodden crossing the line, but the fact he climbed back on his bike and finished the stage can only be a good sign.

Today’s winner Slagter experienced similar bad luck yesterday when a mechanical on the final climb forced him out of contention, but bounced back brilliantly today to outsprint Rui Costa (Lampre), Betancur and Jose Joaquim Rojas (Movistar) in what turned out to be relatively large group at the finish.

With better luck yesterday, Slagter would probably be in the leader’s jersey right now, but no praise should be taken away from Betancur and his team. After catching the initial breakaway (including Pim Lithgart, who moves to the top of the mountains classification), they faced relentless attacks throughout the final 35 kilometres of rolling terrain, but – with some help from Europcar - managed to contain them all.

Sylvain Chavanel was particularly determined to make an attack stick, while the Astana duo of Jakob Fuglsang and Vincenzo Nibali attempted to work over the peloton in the final stages. But nothing could prevent the race from finishing in a widely contested uphill sprint.

Tomorrow poses a different challenge for Ag2r, with five climbs all crammed into 129 kilometres of racing, including two category one climbs in the second half. With a handful of riders all within range, an exciting edition of Paris-Nice could be set for a blockbuster finish.

Results
Paris-Nice 2014, stage seven: Mougins to Biot Sophia Antipolis, 195.5km
1. Tom-Jelte Slagter (Ned) Garmin Sharp

2. Rui Costa (Por) Lampre-Merida

3. Carlos Betancur (Col) Ag2r

4. Jose Rojas(Spa) Movistar

5. Arthur Vichot (Fra) FDJ

6. Tony Gallopin (Fra) Lotto-Belisol

7. Stefan Denifl (Aut) IAM Cycling

8. Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Omega Pharma-QuickStep

9. Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Astana

10. Peter Velits (Svk) BMC Racing

Overall classification after stage seven
1. Carlos Betancur (Col) Ag2r

2. Rui Costa (Por) Lampre-Merida at 14 secs

3. Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Omega Pharma-QuickStep at 26 secs

4. Jose Rojas (Spa) Movistar at 27 secs

5. Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Astana at 29 secs

Carlos Betancur (Ag2r) won stage six of Paris-Nice on Friday - his second victory in two days - attacking on the final climb in Fayence to secure the overall race lead.

World champion Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida) placed second, with Zdenek Stybar (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) in third. Geraint Thomas (Sky) placed fourth, but it wasn't enough to keep hold of the yellow jersey and he now sits in second place on GC at eight seconds.

Devoid of time trial or mountain finish, race organiser ASO branded the 2014 edition of Paris-Nice as a 'race for the daring', and the riders must have taken heed with just about everyone having a go on the climb-packed final third of the stage.

Thomas Voeckler (Europcar), Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling) and Frank Schleck (Trek) were all part of various groups that put in a dig to try and get free of the Sky-led peloton.

By the descent off the penultimate climb of Col de Bourigaille it was only Damiano Caruso (Cannondale) and Dries Devenyns (Giant-Shimano) that were in front of the bunch. Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) then upped the pace, using his superior descending skills to reel the escape duo back in.

Thomas marked Nibali's move to stay in touch with the Italian, and as the bunch hit the three-kilometres-to-go mark Sky's David Lopez was back at the head of the lead group. Ag2r's Alexis Vuillermoz took off up the final ramp first - perhaps as a softener for team-mate Betancur.

A flurry of riders then accelerated up the climb to catch Vuillermoz, but it was just Costa and Betancur in front by the line, with the Colombian edging out the rainbow jersey. Nibali paid for his earlier efforts and was one of those to slip out the back of the lead group.

Saturday's penultimate stage contains five categorised climbs, but with a flatter section of around 40km before the finish in Biot Sophia Antipolis it's going to be tough for a break to stay away. The race concludes on Sunday.

Results
Paris-Nice 2014, stage six: Saint-Saturnin-lès-Avignon to Fayence, 221.5km
1. Carlos Betancur (Col) Ag2r

2. Rui Costa (Por) Lampre-Merida

3. Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Omega Pharma-QuickStep at 3 secs

4. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky

5. Arthur Vichot (Fra) FDJ

6. Cyril Gautier (Fra) Europcar at 7 secs

7. Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Astana

8. Tony Gallopin (Fra) Lotto-Belisol

9. Stefan Denifl (Aut) IAM Cycling

10. Gorka Izaguirre (Spa) Movistar at 11 secs

Overall classification after stage six
1. Carlos Betancur (Col) Ag2r

2. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky at 8 secs

3. Rui Costa (Por) Lampre-Merida at 18 secs

4. Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Omega Pharma-QuickStep at 22 secs

5. Jose Joaquin Rojas (Spa) Movistar at 24 secs

6. Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Astana at 25 secs

7. Arthur Vichot (Fra) FDJ at 27 secs

8. Jan Bakelants (Bel) Omega Pharma-QuickStep at 29 secs

9. Cyril Gautier (Fra) Europcar at 31 secs

10. Stefan Denifl (Aut) IAM Cycling at 31 secs

Photo gallery: Paris-Nice 2014, stage five

Images from the fifth stage of 2014 Paris-Nice, won by Carlos Betancur

Photo gallery: Paris-Nice 2014 stage 6

Images from the sixth stage of 2014 Paris-Nice, won by Carlos Betancur

Geraint Thomas keeps Paris-Nice lead after stage five goes to Carlos Betancur

Team Sky's Geraint Thomas defended his lead at Paris-Nice race lead after Carlos Betancur (Ag2r-La Mondiale) took the victory on

Paris-Nice diary: Sky’s biggest challenge

Anarchic nature of this year's Paris-Nice route means that Sky will have a tough job controlling the race lead