Nicolas Roche

Nicolas Roche was awarded the Eurosport trophy for best young cyclist of 2009. Roche topped last year’s winner Romain Feillu.

This prize is awarded to the best young French rider or rider on a French team. The ranking is based on the number of kilometres clocked up in breakaways plus the final ranking of each rider in races that are broadcast on Eurosport.

This trophy recognizes Roche’s combative nature, which this season fulfilled the expectations that Vincent Lavenu, manager of the AG2R La Mondiale team, had for him. In 2009, Roche was crowned Irish National Champion, and finished 2nd and 4th in two stages of the Tour de France, his first time participating in that race.