Winner of the white jersey last year, Thibaut Pinot’s performances have captured the imagination in France as he and Romain Bardet lead their grand new generation.

The French have been starved of Tour success for some time, so to see Pinot claim the white jersey 12 months ago was a very encouraging sign.

And his performances since have not been too shabby either, riding himself into form in the early months and proving he is in top shape with a strong Tour de Suisse.

Pinot was best young rider at the Criterium International and Tour de Romandie (where Quintana was among the riders he beat) too.

To repeat the feat at the Tour de France will take a big effort, but he came close to starting the race as Tour de Suisse champion against a strong field.

Having won on the mountain top finish on stage five, Pinot led the race from there on but missed out on a podium finish after the final individual time trial.

There will be no big time trial at this Tour though, and the Frenchman’s other big weakness – descending – also seems to be a thing of the past if last year’s race is anything to go by.

Age: 25
Best Tour de France result: third (2014), best young rider (2014)
2015 highlights: Tirreno-Adriatico (fourth overall); Criterium International (second overall, best young rider); Tour de Romandie (stage win, fourth overall, best young rider); Tour de Suisse (stage win, fourth overall).