Nacer Bouhanni’s five victories so far this season have all come in his home country, and the 23-year-old Frenchman will be hoping that is a sign of more success to come when the Tour de France arrives on French soil in July.

Though his first task will be at the Giro d’Italia, Bouhanni has a point to prove at the Tour de France after a crash meant he could only complete five stages of last year’s race.

He proved his sprinting form at Paris-Nice in particular, recovering from a crash to win stage one and finishing third on stage two – and maintaining the yellow jersey – despite having his leg heavily gauzed as a result of his injury. It forced his early withdrawal from the race but a stage win at the Criterium International followed, before more success at the Circuit Cycliste Sarthe – Pays de la Loire and the one-day race, the GP de Denain Porte du Hainaut. His form at the Giro d’Italia will be a big indication as to whether he has it in him to challenge for the green jersey at the Tour.