Romain Bardet and Jean-Christophe Peraud (Ag2r-La Mondiale)
Romain Bardet and Jean-Christophe Peraud (Ag2r-La Mondiale)
Ag2r-La Mondiale won overall last year with Carlos Betancur and in the Colombian’s place they bring another strong line-up this time out.
Jan Bakelants will be a man to watch if he makes any breaks on the undulating stages, while Romain Bardet was fifth overall at last month’s Ruta del Sol.
Jean-Christophe Peraud is the other stand-out name in the French team’s line-up, with the Tour de France runner-up stepping up preparations for the season ahead.
Peraud has readily admitted his form so far this year has been unspectacular at best but the veteran has pedigree in this race having finished third in 2013 and also been in the top ten in 2010 and 2011.
Whether Peraud or Bardet take lead, with the big GC men – Froome, Contador, Nibali and Quintana – at Tirreno-Adriatico this is a chance for either of the Frenchmen to add a major stage race in their home country to the palmares.