After a highly successful 2014 edition, Ag2r-La Mondiale go into the Giro d'Italia with big hopes to repeat the success that saw Domenico Pozzovivo finish fifth overall, Alexis Vuillermaix take 11th and Hubert Dupont 14th and the team win the teams classification.

After a consistent spring season, Pozzovivo will again be the leader and he aims at finally reaching the podium in a grand tour. He can count on strong support from Rinaldo Nocentini, Matteo Montaguti and Dupont in the mountains while Patrick Gretsch, Hugo Houle, Axel Domont and Julien Berard will be on hand to help him in the flatter stages.

"Domenico Pozzovivo will be our leader," said sports director Laurent Biondi.  "With two victories since the beginning of season, it is logical to target at least a top five. The team is homogeneous with experienced riders like Rinaldo Nocentini and Matteo Montaguti and also young people like Hugo Houle and Axel Domont. We can aim for stage wins.

"Pozzovivo is very diligent, professional and super motivated for this grand tour in his country."

The team's second option for the GC is Carlos Betancur who finished fifth and won the white jersey in 2013. However, the Colombian has been far from his best form for more than a year but is showing signs of improvement.

"We will see how his condition develops day by day. If Carlos is evolving like he did in 2013, it can do nice things in the general classification. Otherwise, he may consider a mid-mountain stage win and be a valuable asset to the team."

Manager Vincent Lavenu is optimistic:

"I have the impression that form is reaching a crescendo," Biondi said in L'Equipe. "If Carlos is racing at the same level he was in 2014, he can reach a high ranking in the general classification."

Ag2r-La Mondiale for the Giro d'Italia: 

Axel Domont, Carlos Betancur, Domenico Pozzovivo, Hubert Dupont, Hugo Houle, Julien Bérard, Matteo Montaguti, Patrick Gretsch and Rinaldo Nocentini.