After a good start to the season, Arthur Vichot had many setbacks in 2014, culmination with a big crash in Canada that ended his season. He now goes into the 2015 season which starts Sunday at the GP La Marseillaise, with big ambitions.

In 2014, Vichot targeted the Ardennes classics but knee pain made it impossible for him to start. This year he has similar aims.

"The Ardennes (Amstel, Flèche Wallonne, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, ed.)," he said when L'Equipe asked about his goals. "Especially since I was not able to do them last year when I was full of confidence after Paris-Nice (3rd overall, 1 stage win, ed.) and knew more about my skills. I really want to shine this year. But I will also focus on the French Championships and Paris-Nice."

Last year Paris-Nice was tailor-made for classics riders like Vichot but this year it is expected to be back to its usual format. Hence, Vichot won't put too much emphasis on the French race.

"No," he said when asked whether the Race to the Sun has the same importance as the classics. "Last year the course suited me perfectlu with puncheur finales. This time, there is a prologue, a discipline in which I don't excel, and there is a small summit finish. I'll aim for the top 10 more than the podium."

Vichot's FDJ team has never excelled too much in the Ardennes but Vichor is confident in his team support.

"Kevin Reza (formerly Europcar) is a good reinforcement," he said. "He is a versatile rider who is strong on small climbs and who can also be of support in the sprints as he was last year for Coquard. He will also bring much on a human level. There will also Benoît Vaugrenard who will be our road captain in the Ardennes, Laurent Pichon, Arnold Jeannesson, the Swiss part of the team (Steve Morabito, ed.) - he will and Anthony Roux who will always be with me. I'm really happy because the guys are motivated to do this program with me. If I get there at the top level, it will be possible to to do beautiful things."

Later Vichot aims to be at the start of the Tour de France.

"I want to be at my best as we now have a great leader for stage races with Thibaut (Pinot)," he said.

Vichot is pleased with his preparations for the season.

"I took a big break after my surgery (he broke his right collarbone in the sprint at the GP Quebec on September 12). Two months without my bike allowed me to clear my head. I traveled with my friend, two, three small parties, a lot of football games with my friends. We went to watch Lyon-Saint-Etienne, AC Milan-Inter, a match in Nice. And contrary to what I thought, I quickly found my level when I started again in late November. After three weeks, I had the impression of never having had a break."