"We'll be starting the Tour de France in Bilbao with great ambitions for our leader Ben O'Connor. His third place in the Critérium du Dauphiné confirms that he's one of the best climbers in the world. With him, we're aiming for the best possible overall classification. Ben has already finished fourth in the Tour de France in 2021, and we know he's capable of playing a leading role again.
We're convinced that, with the sporting level he's shown over the last few weeks, he can offer us immense satisfaction over the next three weeks.
Three climbers will be around him to support him in the mountains, and we know that his team-mates will be able to guide him, particularly on the plains. Of course, a stage win will also be one of our objectives. Our team is competitive and homogenous enough to perform well in the world's greatest race. We'll need to be very attentive from the start of this 110th edition in the Basque Country, before returning to the mountains, our greatest terrain for expression. We'll have the privilege of riding for six days on the roads of the Alps, which we love so much. It's bound to be a special moment for the whole AG2R CITROËN team. We want to shine in front of our supporters.

"We know that Benoît is capable of competing with the world's best riders . He's already proved it by winning major classics such as last year's GP de Québec and the Bretagne Classic in 2021. What's more, some of the Tour's stages are tailored to his puncheur qualities. Benoît is a boy who knows how to rally and motivate his teammates, making him an invaluable element in the life of the team."

"Oliver will be Ben O'Connor's guardian angel on the plain. In fact, he's capable of reassuring the leaders who put all their trust in him. What's more, he showed us at the Critérium du Dauphiné that he's back, and at a very good level. His good humour is also a precious asset for the group.

"We're counting on Nans to fight in the breakaways when the opportunity arises. He's a very solid lad who likes to ride at the front, as he showed when he won a stage in the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia and the Trofeo Laigueglia this season. He will also be invaluable in supporting our leader at strategic moments.

"Stan is a rider who follows instructions to the letter and is at the service of the team. He does invaluable behind-the-scenes work, just as he did at the Tour de Suisse when Felix won. He was there at the front to provide support, and it worked perfectly. He's capable of sacrificing himself for his leaders and also knows how to guide them on the plains to avoid all the pitfalls."