Jean-Christophe Péraud had a good season, finishing second at the Tour de France. The Ag2r La Mondiale leader is present in Montgenevre (Hautes Alpes) for a team building camp with his teammates. But the French rider found time to answer Cyclingquotes' questions.

At first, he looked back at the 2014 season marked by a strong performance in the Tour de France : "It was the best season of my career, it's obvious. I could have done a better year after the Tour, but if you told me that I would do this great season last winter, I would have signed directly. 

"I am proud of the podium, like my Olympic medal. At the start of the 2014 Tour de France, I could not see myself on the podium, but I admit I started to think about it after Risoul", he added. Although he is experienced, he learned a lot this season and won some trust. "I want to do just as well. This year gives me confidence. I did it once, I know I'm likely to do it again. It makes you want to do it again."

The last time a Frenchman made the podium was Richard Virenque in 1997. "It does not matter for me. What is important is to have achieved it. I do not compare myself with former glories or future champions."

Now he's thinking about next season. "I would like to do well in one-week races and in the UCI WorldTour races. Finishing on the podium in these races would be very good." But he does not know if he will be present in the next Tour de France. "If the objective is the Tour de France, the preparation will be similar as a whole. After the Vuelta al Pais Vasco, I will do the same preparation as this year.

"But I think that it will miss a long individual time trial (about the TDF route, ed.) which would have suited my qualities. Indeed, I would have liked to aim at the Giro but after my podium in 2014, it is important that I am starting the 2015 Tour de France."

Looking at the route, Péraud knows it will be difficult to finish on the podium again. "This Tour de France is tailored for climbers with lots of mountain stages, both in the Pyrenees than the Alps. The first week will be special with the wind, but also the cobbled stage like this year. In the mountains at the Tour de France 2014, I could not gain just one second on Vincenzo Nibali. He was stronger. And in 2015, with the many summit finishes, each rider will be in his place."