Ag2r will be led by Romain Bardet and Alexis Vuillermoz in their home race, Paris-Nice.

The team will be loaded with climbers as the captains will be supported by Cyril Gautier, Mikael Cherel, Ben Gastauer and Pierre-Roger Latour while Alexis Gougeard and Axel Domont will provide support on the flat stages.

Latour - one of the greatest French climbing talents - is excited to make his debut in the race.  Just before Paris-Nice, he was in the breakaway at BernardDrôme Classic on his home roads.

"It is always a great sensation to race on the roads of my region," he said about the experience. "I was in great shape and I did my best to help the team.  At the end of the race and as far as possible, I have given a lot of myself for my friends.

"Paris-Nice is the first French UCI WorldTour race of the year and I am thrilled to start this competition. This kind of race is the finest way to make great progress. Moreover, we will arrive in my hometown Romans-sur-Isère (March 10). This little extra is quite motivating even if, without any doubt, this stage will be for sprinters. However, I will ride without pressure in order to give the best of me to assist our leaders, Alexis and Romain. Obviously, I am also thinking about a stage victory but only if I have the right opportunity."

It is the second pro season for Latour who was on the podium in last year's Route du Sud behind Alberto Contador and Nairo Quintana.

"It is difficult to say if I have made progress because I have only had 9 days of competition but, honestly, I think I showed promising signs. Last year, I finished seventh of Etoile de Bessèges and I felt really exhausted after each stage. This year, it was totally different because I have the feeling to have a better resistance in long stages. It appears to be the benefits of last season's efforts.

"I plan to ride the Critérium International (March 26-27) for the first time.  The race suits a rider like me and, in addition, I watched JC (Péraud) victory from last year on TV. Therefore, I know exactly what to do to win it!"

While part of the team is racing in France, Jean-Christophe Peraud, Domenico Pozzovivo, Hubert Dupont and Matteo Montaguti will inspect the courses of stage 8,  9 and 10 of Giro d’Italia from March 4th to 7th.

Line-up

Romain BARDET
Mikaël CHEREL
Axel DOMONT
Ben GASTAUER (Lux)
Cyril GAUTIER
Alexis GOUGEARD
Pierre LATOUR
Alexis VUILLERMOZ