As a former winner of Paris-Roubaix, Johan Vansummeren should be ready for the Tour de France stage over the cobblestones. However, he doesn't think that he will get his own chance.

"My job is very simple. The team puts everything on out two leaders Romain Bardet and Jean-Christophe Péraud. We'll see how far they can get. We have two irons in the fire and it would be nice to be to be in front to ride for a yellow jersey. 

"I'm certainly not asking for my own chance on the cobblestones. If our leaders dop out of contention in that stage, we will have 16 stages through France where we have nothing to do

"A free role is impossible and I know that."

For Serge Pauwels, it is a special Tour de France. He is part of the first African team ever in the Tour de France.

"It is an honor for me to be part of this team. I can make a little history. We can certainly surprise you in a fun way.

"The second part of the Tour best for our team. It is important to survive the first nine days and I am here to help in that regard, to keep the young Africans quiet. They are all very talented. Especially Meintjes and Kudus can show themselves.

Does Pauwels also see opportunities for himself? 

"Absolutely. I am not only here to guide the boys andI definitely want to go for a stage win. I hope to be in the right break a few times in the Alps or the Pyrenees."

Julien Vermote represents Etixx-Quick Step at the start of his first Tour de France. In a team with a lot of leaders the young Belgian knows what he has to do.

"I need to keep the leaders in front and out of the wind. The team knows what I can do and I want to show it to the outside world.

"In the past I worked in the Giro for Mark Cavendish and Rigoberto Uran. It is not new for me. The race will be different. I expect a lot more nervousness."

What does Vermote expect from the leaders? 

"We can win every stage. I expect something from Tony Martin in the short time trial, from Michal Kwiatkowski and Zdenek Stybar in the first week and then there's Cavendish for the bunch sprints. It will be a busy Tour for me."