Romain Sicard has shown during the difficult Vuelta a Andalucía, last week, he already had a good physical condition to "hard circuits and the Vuelta worthy arrivals", he compares. He finished in 14th place at a mountain top finish, and during the penultimate stage, he made a long breakaway before the return of Froome-Contador duo.

Speaking in an interview with L’Equipe, the rider is hoping his form can help him gain leadership in more races for Europcar, such as today’s Drome Classic.

Above all, Sicard, 27, discusses the season with confidence. "I have more confidence, I no longer doubt myself. When I arrived at Europcar in 2014 (from Euskaltel, where he was regularly injured), it was a new beginning. I was quickly strong, I found an interesting level,” says former winner of the Tour de l'Avenir and World Champion at U23 level (2009). 

“I hope to continue this upward phase. I do not like to talk about specific goals, it is important to respond to the philosophy of the team. Be offensive, make things happen and the results will come." 

His Europcar sporting director Lylian Lebreton echoed his statements: "After a year of reconstruction, I am sure we will see the real Romain in 2015."