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
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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.”