Ag2r will line up at their home race Criterium du Dauphiné with most of their A team. Tour de France captains Jean-Christophe Peraud and Romain Bardet lead the squad and will be supported by in-form climber Alexis Vuillermoz who won the GP de Plumelec last Saturday.

"This is an important race for us," manager Vincent Lavenu said. "There is a real geographical connection with the team that is based in Chambéry. For us, it 'is the second biggest stage race in France after the Tour de France. We have to be present. It is always a spectacular event and a dress rehearsal for the Tour. This year the competition is tough but we worked well, especially during the the training camp on the Col du Lautaret, and with riders like Jean-Christophe Péraud, Romain Bardet and Alexis Vuillermoz, we are able to do beautiful things. A podium and stage wins... Why not?

"My highlights in the race are our two victories in 1999 with Alexander Vinoukourov as a young professional and in 2007 with Christophe Moreau. We have also won stages that have always made ​​us very happy. In the Dauphiné, our supporters along the roads are numerous and it warms our heart.

"With eleven victories, the results are satisfactory. We were less prolific than last season but that was really an exceptional performance. We are slightly below that level but we have had a lot of injuries that have thwarted our ambitions. Today we have bright prospects."

Ag2r for the Criterium du Dauphiné

Romain Bardet, Jean-Christophe Peraud, Mikael Cherel, Alexis Vuillermoz, Ben Gastauer, Christophe Riblon, Samuel Dumoulin and Johan Vansummeren