With Jean-Christophe Peraud targeting the Giro in 2016 and Carlos Betancur leaving AG2R La Mondiale for Movistar, Romain Bardet will get his first taste of being the French team’s sole leader of their Tour de France team in 2016.
“This year Romain didn’t want to be the sole leader at the Tour, but events forced him into that situation,” AG2R team boss Vincent Lavenu told L’Equipe, referring to the issues with injury and form that hampered Péraud. “In 2016 he will be the only number one. He is ready to take on this role.”
Thnaks to the large number of time trials, both rolling and uphill, at the 2016 Giro, Peraud will make his debut at the race in what may be his last year as a pro. Lavenu says that if all goes well and he avoids what ruined his tour de France this year, Peraud can podium the race.
“He is going to prepare for it very seriously. If he tackles it at the peak of his forces, he can finish on the podium,” Lavenu said.
Bardet will be helped in the mountains by Domenico Pozzovivo, who has scored Grand Tour top tens in the past but will be riding his debut Tour, and 2015 stage winner Alexis Vuillermoz, who wants to win Fleche Wallonne and another Tour stage while helping Bardet.
“My primary role at the Tour will be to be at Romain’s service,” Vuillermoz confirmed. “My secondary objective will be to target the general and/or a stage win.”
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