Ahead of the teams' presentation, several actors of the Tour de France came up with some news: contract extension with FDJ for Thibaut Pinot, new sponsor and bright future for Bora-Argon 18, short-term ambitions for Fortuneo-Vital Concept.

Thibaut Pinot: “I'm not the strongest” 
FDJ was the first team to give a press conference at the race headquarters. They announced the extension of Thibaut Pinot's contract for two more years. The recently crowned French champion for time trial was cautious when asked if he was targeting the overall victory at the Tour de France after he finished third two years ago.

“I aim at the top 5”, Pinot answered. “We all dream of winning but we have to be realistic. I'm not the strongest rider of the peloton and we've seen in recent years that the best rider eventually won the Tour. Chris Froome was above everyone last year. There might be [Alberto] Contador and [Nairo] Quintana too. The first week of racing determines the ambitions. We fear the first five stages. It'll be more enjoyable later on. I feel the pressure and it's not easy to handle it but it's been the same since I came third in 2014 so I'm kind of used to it and looking forward to the actual start of the race.”

Bora-Argon 18 in partnership with Düsseldorf 2017 Grand Départ
The German-registered Bora-Argon 18 team announced a partnership with Düsseldorf. A logo of the hosting city of the 2017 Grand Départ of the Tour de France with the French and German flags has taken place on the riders' jersey. A new partner has also come on board with bathroom products manufacturer Hansgrohe.

“I'm delighted to being able to build a competitive team for the classics and the Grand Tours for the next three years”, said team manager Ralph Denk.

“I take it as a positive news, it'll boost our motivation for the coming three weeks”, echoed former German champion Emmanuel Buchmann who will start the Tour de France for the second time this Saturday. His best result last year was third in stage 12 in the Pyrenees (Cauterets).

Fortuneo-Vital Concept targets the first polka dot jersey
Fortuneo-Vital Concept's team manager Emmanuel Hubert stated that he targets a final overall ranking “between 15th and 20th” for his designated leader Eduardo Sepúlveda. The Argentine made a fame for himself as he was disqualified from his first Tour de France for having covered a few hundred metres by car during stage 14 last year.

“This is completely forgotten”, the South American climber declared. “I'm completely focused on the future.”

Englishman Dan McLay who hails from the Midlands is the team's sprinter.

“I don't want to set a specific goal in terms of result”, said the winner of GP Denain in April. “I'll look for the best opportunities on the sprint days. If the legs work well, results should be fine.”

Formerly known as Bretagne-Séché Environnement, the squad is not far from home in La Manche. Anthony Delaplace is even a local rider. “

"I hope I'll get the green light from my sports directors to break away on home soil because there's the first King of the Mountains jersey up for grabs. Later in the Tour I'll target a stage win on a lumpy terrain when I'll get a chance.”