The Ag2r GC riders had mixed emotions after the opening time trial at the Tour de France. While Jean-Christophe Peraud was pleased to get closer to his best condition with a 50th place, Romain Bardet lost a lot of time in 145th.

"The Tour has started," Peraud said. "It's ok, nothing special, nothing catastrophic When I look at the recent weeks and months, I am delighted. It was hard with the heat.

“I think that’s ok. I’m still not at my top level but it’s still pretty close to the time I’d set for myself so as not to seem too ridiculous. I’m getting closer to my place.

"The GC of the Tour de France is decided today, everything is still possible. We must be very vigilant in the coming days with the wind, cobbles and a stage that looks very nervous on Mur de Huy."

“I knew that it would be one of the most difficult stages for me,” Bardet told a group of reporters. “I didn’t expect to do much better. It’s difficult for climbers on a circuit for specialists. I know that this is my weak point and I saw very quickly that I wasn’t on a good day. It was difficult mentally at that point and my legs just weren’t responding today.”