After a slow start to the season at the Ruta del Sol, Jean-Christophe Peraud looked strong when he helped split the field in the Classic Sud-Ardeche last Saturday. Despite abandoning the Drome Classic one day later, he was positively surprised by his condition.

"The weather was awful, I was cold," he said when asked about his reason for abandoning. "The race was hard, I found myself in the convoy to change clothes and I was forced to chase. I got back to the rear end of the peloton but I was not good so I preferred to stop this race and save strength for Paris-Nice.

"Since yesterday I have been feeling much better. Since the Ruta del Sol I have had doubts. During the last week, however, I managed to get to a much better level for Ardeche. The form is slowly coming back. I'll be a little short in Paris-Nice but I think I can be good in at the Tour of the Basque Country."

Peraud's Ag2r teammate Romain Bardet has had a much better start to his season as he was fifth in Ruta del Sol. Lining up as the defending champion, he played a key role in helping teammate Samuel Dumoulin win the Drome Classic.

"The roles can always be changed," he said. "The team won and that is the main thing. I felt better than last year but I can no longer create a surprise. I'm very happy with this win. Sam is like a big brother to me. He has always helped me and given me advice. When I crossed the line, it was as if I had taken the win. The team was united today. It is never easy to defend a title but we managed to do so."