RENNES, France, Aug 20, 2008 (AFP) – Irish rider Nicolas Roche, of Credit Agricole, has signed a two-year contract with ProTour outfit AG2R, team manager Vincent Levenu said Wednesday.

Roche, who rode for Cofidis before joining Credit Agricole in 2007, is leading the Tour du Limousin after winning Tuesday’s first stage.

“Nicolas is a rider for the future with important physical attributes. He already has a good bit of experience on the professional scene and has matured,” Levenu said.

Roche, 24, the son of cycling legend Stephen Roche who won the Tour de France and the Giro (both 1987), is the 2007 Irish time-trial champion.