In September, Movistar announced that they had signed 34-year-old French climber John Gadret for the 2014 season. Despite having finished on the podium in the 2011 Giro d'Italia, the Frenchman hopes to ride the Tour de France in support of either Nairo Quintana or Alejandro Valverde.

Shortly after the Tour de France, the French press claimed that John Gadret was one of several riders from Ag2r-La Mondiale that wouldn't get a contract renewal for the 2014 season. Despite a long career at the French team that dates back to the 2006 season, the road and cyclo-cross rider suddenly found himself in the position of looking for a new job on a market that was already loaded with cycling talent.

His career was saved by the Movistar team who decided to offer the 34-year-old veteran a two-year contract and so he will be on a foreign team for the first time since 2005 where he rode for the smaller Belgian Chocolade Jacques team. He will be the only Frenchman on a team that has traditionally had several riders from that country on their roster.

Gadret has a long career as a grand tour rider and burst onto the scene in 2006 when he was one of the strongest climbers in the Giro d'Italia until crashing out of the race. In 2010, 2011 and 2012, he was the Ag2r captain in the the Italian grand tour where the disqualification of Alberto Contador saw him being promoted to the podium of the 2011 edition in which he also won a stage.

This year he changed his schedule to focus in the Tour de France but never reached his best form. As a consequence, Ag2r manager Vincent Lavenu decided not to renew his contract, casting his career into uncertainty until Movistar showed their interest.

The new team will not only offer him new surroundings, he will also face a different role. Having been a protected rider in his previous team, he has been signed as an important domestique for Nairo Quintana and Alejandro Valverde in the grand tours.

Most of Gadret's career has revolved around the Giro but in 2014, he hopes to ride his home grand tour in support of his leaders.

"If I am at the start, it will be to do a job," he told Cyclism'Actu in an interview. "That is crystal clear. But it is a new challenge. I know I'm 34, but the fact that I'll change team will possibly be good for me mentally. And I find it very exciting to support a rider that can fight for the final victory at the Tour de France."

However, Gadret still doesn't know if he will actually be at the start line in Leeds when the Tour kicks off on July 5.

They signed me for the Grand Tours but I've not been told which one I will do," he said. "There are three Grand Tours, so I have a one in three chance of being at the Tour next year. As I said, my goal for 2014 was to remain a professional cyclist. I'll still be at least until 2015, then I will see which races I will do. The aim was to be professional and continue to do my job. I won't complain.

"Obviously, it would please me greatly [to ride the Tour]. But hey, if I'm starting, great, if I'm not, too bad. It is also part of the job. We will discuss it and then we'll see."

Gadret is known as a climber but he may actually offer some advice in an area where it is less expected.

"In addition, I can ride on the cobblestones since I do not live far away from them," he said. "It is true that I know the area well. I can bring my experience on the cobbles even though I think Valverde and Quintana will do a reconnaissance. Nevertheless, I know the roads and my advice can be useful."

Gadret hasn't reduced his cyclo-cross schedule in recent years but he still plans to ride a few races during the winter season.

"I always do," he said. "I will do the races in the national series and a few small cross in my area but no more than that. This is just for training, and as I have not raced since August 15, I need to pick up the pace."

Movistar still hasn't decided whether Nairo Quintana or Alejandro Valverde will lead the team in the Tour.