Jean-Christophe Peraud (Ag2r-La Mondiale)
Jean-Christophe Peraud (Ag2r-La Mondiale)
A latecomer to the road cycling scene, former Olympic mountain biker Jean-Christophe Peraud enjoyed his best season to date in 2014.
Steady performances in several of the big one-week races had marked him as a capable GC man, but Peraud stepped it up again this year, despite much of the media attention on the team honing in on Romain Bardet.
Having spectacularly crashed out of last year’s Tour de France while chasing a top-ten finish overall, Peraud arrived at this year’s race having already secured his first career stage race win – the Criterium International.
Not even that, and strong showings at Tirreno-Adriatico and the Tour of the Basque Country, prepared anyone for his stunning showing at the Tour, however.
Aged 37, Peraud belied his veteran status with a stunning show of grit and resilience to stay in contention for a podium place throughout, eventually finishing second overall behind Vincenzo Nibali (Astana).
Seven top-ten finishes throughout the race provided a timely boost for French cycling and has set the mark for 24-year-old Bardet to now follow – not that Peraud is done yet.
Jean-Christophe Peraud in 2014
Stage wins: one (plus Criterium International GC win)
Grand Tour stage wins:
Champagne moment: Distancing Alejandro Valverde on the Hautacam to ride into the overall podium spots at the Tour de France.