The internal rivalry between two highly talented FDJ.fr sprinters, Arnaud Demare and Nacer Bouhanni, was certainly one of the most catching subplots of this spring, and even though the former openly insisted that their coexistence within the same squad for the Tour de France roster was not possible, eventually both Frenchmen made the pre-selection for the greatest of three-week events.

According to French media, the FDJ manager Marc Madiot has announced the long-list for the Tour de France, including both Demare and Bouhanni, and even though only lead-out men of the former made the selection he insists that nothing has been decided yet in terms of who will lead the sprints in the event.

At the same time, Madiot revealed that both sprinters have confronted each other in order to discuss their differences and even though it won’t be an easy task, he still believe in a possibility of their coexistence.

“There is no indication that I will resolve [the problem]. There were things that needed to be said. There were difficult words, but the explanation took place and I’m glad it happened,” Madiot told Sud-Ouest, following the meeting between Demare and Bouhanni.

“Everything is possible, but it’s still a way to go,” he concluded.