After a difficult start, the Tour de France ended as a success for Romain Bardet who won a stage, was 9th overall and was awarded the supercombativity prize as the most aggressive rider of the race.

“It’s really satisfying to win it," he said. "I’ve raced in the polka-dot jersey too, which was nice but I was only keeping it warm for Chris Froome, who is the real winner. If I’m on the podium it’s thanks to all my teammates during the last three weeks. I’ll be happy to leave my share of the prize money to them.

"The Pyrenees were tough for me because I was ill and so lost a lot of time. But the Alps were a lot more satisfying and it was superb to win a stage. I hope to be a GC contender one day but it’s tough to decide between stages and the GC. I like to go on the attack too. I like to win.

“There hasn’t been a French Tour winner but that’s the goal we’re working towards. We’ve got a good generation coming through and so I’m sure we’ll do well in the years to come.

"Our results are excellent in spite of important difficulties in the Pyrénées. I won a stage, earned the polka-dot jersey for one day and moved up to ninth place overall. Honestly, winning a Tour stage will always be an impressive performance in my mind."

Bardet will next race the Clasica San Sebastian and the Olympic test event.

"2014 was an exceptional year, we knew it would be difficult to have better results," manager Vincent Lavenu said. "However our team's Tour de France was great. We were united and showed an aggressive spirit. We went through deep emotional moments that considerably helped us to move on. My main memories were the unexpected stage win for Alexis [Vuillermoz]and Romain's victory is our Savoy region."

"We won two stages with panache and Romain moved up to 9th place overall," sports director Julien Jurdie said. "We have a homogeneous team with three riders in the top 20. Therefore our results are extremely positive. Our team was drifting away after the Cauterets stage but we never gave up and Romain won our second Tour stage. I do not forget our three third places either."

The rest of the team also took time to reflect on their results.

Mikaël Cherel 
GC : 18th 
Next races : Classica San Sebastian (August 1st) / Vuelta Espana (August 22th / September 13th)

"I am really satisfied with my personal and our collective results in this Tour de France. It is my first top 20 which is amazing. We are a united team and our two stage victories were moments of great happiness."

Jan Bakelants
GC : 20th 
Next races : Classica San Sebastien (August 1st) / Eneco Tour (August 10-16)

"I am really pleased. The GC position is not as good as last year but we did a great Tour de France. I especially appreciated to assist Romain in his stage victory. We can all be proud of our Tour de France."

Alexis Vuillermoz
GC: 26th/Winner stage 8 

Next races : Classica San Sebastian (August 1st) / Rio Test Event (August 16th)

"I won the most beautiful race of my career during the first week. Then it was much more complicated because I did not manage the media pressure after my victory well. However, I will remenber forever the final meters of Mur de Bretagne, it was such a joy. Our results are more than satifying because we got four third places, two stage victories, a top 10 on and Romain wore the polka-dot jersey." 
 

Jean-Christophe Péraud
GC : 61th 

Next race : Tour de l'Ain (August 11-15)

"My main satisfaction was to finally arrive in Paris. I had high expectations but It all went wrong. I was really injured after my nasty crash. However, I fought back to recover in order to reach the Champs Elysées. Luckily, our supporters always cheered me up."  
 

Christophe Riblon 
GC: 68th

Next race : Tour de Pologne (August 2-8)

"Personally, I have mixed feelings about my results this year. However, together we achieved tremendous things like Alexis' and Romain's victories. I loved to ride on the Alpe d'Huez climb again. It is always a special moment after 2013."

Damien Gaudin 
GC : 146th  
Next race  : Eneco Tour (August 10-16)

"I am finishing my first Tour. Therefore my dream is coming true. I hope I was a reliable teammate because I did my best to protect our leaders. I also did my first Alpes d'Huez climb. It was incredible."
 

Ben Gastauer 
DNF Stage 11
Next race : Eneco Tour (August 10-16)

"It s disappointing to leave my team mates but I couldn't stand more. I am proud of what AG2R LA MONDIALE achieved."

Johan Vansummeren 
DNF stage 11

Next race : Vuelta a Burgos (August 4-8) / Vuelta Espana (August 22-September 13)
 
"I have resumed training and I don't suffer from my knee . I didn't follow the Tour much because it was hard for me. I watched Romain's victory and I was happy. But I would have enjoyed to help thé team thé day after on the Croix de Fer."