Arthur Vichot was not in great shape at the the Tour of Switzerland . Tired, unable to keep up on the climbs, the former French champion spoke to Est Républicain prior to his participation in the championships of France where he will try to help Arnaud Démare to retain his title: 

"I have improved a bit. When you see where I was a month and a half ago at the Tour of Romandie, I would say it's going in the right direction. But it is clear that things are not going fast enough. And I'm not at 100%. However, during this Tour of Switzerland, I could bring something to the team which is positive," he explained about the race where he finished second last.

"To say that this is a season to forget will be to go a bit too far. The balance will be made at the end of the year.  We'll see how I have recovered from the Tour de Suisse. We will also see what the team strategy will be at the Tour. For sure I can not allow myself to say that I go to France to win. It will be very complicated."

The stage winner at the 2014 Paris-Nice is still not guaranteed to be part of the team that will participate in the Tour de France on July 4: " If I do, I have to be able to enjoy myself and secondly, I have to bring something to the team. But the Tour is not an obligation or a purpose.  The team management will make a decision after the French championships."