With less than a month to the start of the Tour de France, FDJ have selected two captains and announced an 11-rider long list from which the final 7 riders will be selected.

As expected, the French team will be led by Thiabut Pinot and Arnaud Demare who will share the captaincy duties and are guaranteed a spot in the race. However, it remains to be seen how the balance will be between riders for Demare's lead-out train and climbers that can support Pinot in the mountains.

The final 7 spots will be taken by riders from an 11-rider long list that was announced today. The list includes lead-out men Sebastien Chavanel, William Bonnet and Mickael Delage and riders like Matthieu Ladagnous and Anthony Roux who will also be strong in the preparation of the sprints.

For the climbs, Steve Morabito, Arnold Jeannesson and Alexandre Geniez who recently finished 9th in the Giro, are expected to be the key support riders for Pinot. The list is completed by Benoit Vaugrenard and Jeremy Roy who will be valuable in the team time trial, and Arthur Vichot who will be a strong contender in the moderately hilly stages where a breakaway can make it to the finish.

The team is expected to announce its final selection after the French championships.