Vogondy joins Agritubel

The 29-year-old was recently released by Credit Agricole after two seasons with the team.

AG2R Prévoyance and Saunier Duval did an express an interest in the rider but Vogondy has opted to join fellow new recruits Cédric Herve, Emilien-Benoit Bergès, Anthony Ravard, Freddy Bichot, Mikel Gaztanaga and Nicolas Jalabert at the UCI Europe Tour outfit.

Vogondy turned professional in 1997 and spent eight years at Française des Jeux, winning his national road race title in 2002 and finishing 19th in that year's Tour de France.

At Credit Agricole he won the first stage of the Route du Sud in 2005 and last season claimed two minor French successes, the Châteauroux Classic de l'Indre Trophée Fenioux and the final stage of the Tour du Poitou Charentes et de la Vienne.

Agritubel was selected as one of two wild card teams for 2006 the Tour de France and also competed at the Paris-Nice, Paris-Roubaix, Flèche Wallonne, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré.

Vogondy admits this portfolio was a big factor in his decision.

He said: "It is not a Pro-Tour team but it is registered with all the great French races. I am very content."