The FDJ.fr team will line up at the Vuelta al Pais Vasco with big ambitions as the French WorldTour squad will enter the mountainous event with a versatile roster led by Thibaut Pinot and Arthur Vichot.

Even though the typical Vuelta al Pais Vasco route with its short, steep climbs (and quite a lot of descending) is not perfectly suited to Pinot’s characteristics, the 23-year old Frenchman will still hope to keep the ball rolling after he returned to competition with unspectacular yet impressively steady performance in the Volta a Catalunya.

“We line up at the Vuelta al Pais Vasco with a great team. Thibaut Pinot is fit and we’ll wait for its confirmation following his good come back at the Vuelta a Catalunya,” FDJ.fr manager Marc Madiot said.

The race in Basque Country lacks typical flat stages dedicated for pure sprinters, but certainly is a treat for fast finishers capable of staying in contention following some climbing what seems a perfect description of recently emphasized abilities of Arthur Vichot. The 25-year old 2013 Tour du Haut Var winner rode splendidly on the Paris-Nice lumpy parcours to win the ultimate stage on the Promenade des Anglais and claim a podium spot in the WorldTour stage event behind Carlos Betancur (AG2R La Mondiale) and Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida).

“Arthur Vichot should enjoy the route and aim for a victory on certain stages. Race’s profile with short and challenging climbs should suit his characteristics and enable him to gain a confidence ahead of the Ardennes classics,” Madiot confirmed.

The FDJ.fr roster for Vuelta al Pais Vasco will be completed by other strong climbers in likes of promising Kenny Elissonde and usually reliable Arnold Jeannesson, while Jeremy Roy will chase a stage victory in the individual time trial.

“There is also the final stage against the clock where Jeremy Roy will look for his chances… Though the whole team is able to make a difference and influence the race. This is a race which should suit FDJ.fr and help increasing team’s morale,” FDJ.fr manager concluded.

The FDJ.fr roster for Vuelta al Pais Vasco consists of:

Kenny Elissonde , Pierrick Fedrigo , Arnold Jeannesson , Thibaut Pinot , Jérémy Roy, Benoït Vaugrenard, Jussi Veikkanen , Arthur Vichot .