Sanitary bubble obliges, the AG2R team presented itself, like the others, through a screen for the traditional press conference before the Tour de France. Live from their hotel in Sophia Antipolis, Romain Bardet, the leader of the Savoyard team, displayed measured ambitions for a Tour that he was not initially supposed to compete in.
How are you approaching this Tour?
ROMAIN BARDET. I don't focus on the general classification and I want to be offensive. I have finished in the Top 10 five times but, except for my two podiums (in 2016 and 2017), who remembers? I don't want to calculate or wait based on the overall ranking.
Next year, you will no longer be at AG2R but Sunweb. Does it change anything for this Tour?
Absolutely not. On the contrary, we savor every moment. All the moments are more intense. We all want to conclude in the best possible way. And I feel full of positive energy.
Are you still worried about being watched by the Tour favorites?
It will depend on the race, but the course is favorable for twists and turns and changes of leaders. I just hope that there will not be two teams who will padlock the race otherwise we will be very bored.
Can the absence of the public, especially in the passes, play a role?
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It is true that the kilometers are shorter when you cut through a crowd. But first you have to be happy that the Tour is taking place. If we get to Paris, it will be a success.
How do you feel ?
My shape is ascending and the lights are green. I feel freshness because, obviously, I ran less than the other years. I hope to win a stage and also be in the game to wear the yellow jersey at least once. I have never worn it and it can be a desire.