Despite both riders moving on in 2021, AG2R La Mondiale director Vincent Lavigne has tapped Romain Bardet and Pierre Latour to co-lead this year's Tour de France.

Bardet decided to sit out the Mont Ventoux-Denivelle Challenge earlier this month to recover from a crash on the Route d'Occitanie earlier in August. Bardet returned to racing at the Criterium du Dauphiné and appeared to be back on his feet, finishing ninth in the final stage to Megève and sixth overall.

"Romain showed great strength in his return to the Dauphiné, which reassured him. 'He has regained his place as a top contender. He will be the leader of the team and will aim as high as possible. He can be ambitious. We know that Romain is a hard-working racer and can accomplish great things."

Bardet's good form and the resulting enthusiasm of Lavenu appear to have elevated Bardet slightly in the co-leadership role he will share with Latour, who returns to the Tour for the first time since 2018, when he took the white jersey as the race's best young rider.

"Pierre worked well during training camp and we know his physical qualities," Lavigne said of the 26-year-old Frenchman, who slumped to 70th overall in the Dauphiné. I hope the Dauphiné will be an impetus for the Tour de France. I hope the Dauphiné will be a boost for the Tour de France.

While Bardet has moved to Sunweb in 2021 and Latour has a new home at Total Direct Energie, Lavenu has secured 24-year-old all-rounder Benoit Cosnefrois and 29-year-old classics specialist Oliver Naessen for the next three seasons. Both riders will also compete in this year's Tour and could have a chance to win a stage.

"Benoit is the puncher of the team. He knows how to win. He knows how to win. He just has to put himself in a position where he has a chance to put his winning arm up in the Tour. He has the level to do that."

"We hope his back problems are resolved and he can be on top of his game. He has the maturity and clear vision to be very successful in the Tour de France." [Oliver] will serve as our overall insurance policy on the flat as well as the undulating stages. He is a quality athlete and very valuable to the team." He will be very important when we are in the lead group, especially when the wind is blowing hard"

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"He is not only a great leader, but also a great teammate. This year's Tour will also be the starting point for the Flanders Classics for him."

"He is a great leader and a great teammate.

The team includes 2015 Tour stage winner Alexis Vuillermoz, who should be able to help Bardet and Latour in the mountains, experienced Mickael Cherelle, and 2019 Giro d'Italia stage winners Nance Peters and Clément Venturini in their Tour debut.

"We are going to start this Tour de France with ambition, but with humility and without pressure," Lavigne said. 'Our leader, Romain Bardet, has proven himself to be the best rider back in the peloton. So we are going into this event with a lot of composure."

"We are here for the best possible overall finish. Nothing should be out of reach. We can go for the stage win with guys like Oliver Naessen, Alexis Vuillemoz, and Benoit Kosnefrois." Clément Venturini and Nance Peters are competing in this event for the first time, but they too have great potential. "0]

AG2R La Mondiale for the 2020 Tour de France: Romain Bardet, Mickael Scherer, Benoit Cosnefrois, Pierre Latour, Oliver Naessen, Nance Peters, Clément Venturini, Alexis Vuillermoz