AG2R La Mondiale staff, in agreement with the medical staff and sports directors, have taken the decision to replace Patrick Gretsch by Damien Gaudin. The French team will bet on a strong team at theevent with Jean-Christophe Péraud, second last year, and Romain Bardet who has proved that he is in great shape.

"We decided to select Patrick after his excellent Giro, marked in particular by his 4th place on the individual time trial. However, since his come back at the Route du Sud, he was not at the expected level. Patrick was showing a significant drop in form so this e has forced us to reconsider our position. Above all we wish above all that Patrick finds his form. Damien Gaudin showed during the French Championships and recently in the Tour de Suisse that he could be an important element in the squad for the next Tour de France", Vincent Lavenu explained in a press release.

"A dream come true! I will discover the Tour, I have waited for this moment for years. At times, I deserved to be selected but tactical choices made it impossible. The team trusts me, I'm in great shape and I want to bring something to the team", Gaudin explained. "It's a great chance to be in the Tour de France with Ag2r La Mondiale when you see what they did the last year. Inevitably, there is pressure but it is positive. Since I was a kid, it is the Tour that made me want to go cycling. It is this race that makes our sport. The first week will be crucial for me."

Ag2r-La Mondiale for the Tour de France: Jan Bakelants, Romain Bardet, Mikael Cherel, Ben Gastauer, Damien Gaudin, Jean-Christophe Péraud, Christophe Riblon, Johan Vansummeren and Alexis Vuillermoz.