DIRECT ÉNERGIE

Direct Energie’s sprinter Bryan

Coquard came close to a first Tour stage win last year, but on the straight in Limoges he glanced off Marcel Kittel and lost by millimetres. He’s announced he’s moving teams next year so he may yet be left at home, but with his tenacity, zip and ability to get over more grippy terrain, he’d be Direct Energie’s best chance of a stage win. That’s something the team’s not enjoyed since archbarouder Thomas Voeckler’s win in Luchon in 2012. This will be Voeckler’s last ever race, though he has a potential successor: Lilian Calmejane. The 24-year-old won a stage in his debut Grand Tour at the Vuelta last year. He’s durable, can climb well and sprint a bit. In a break he’ll be dangerous, and he’s on a roll.

TOUR PALMARÈS

The squad has consistently punched above its weight at the Tour. Voeckler and Charteau have both won the KoM, and Rolland won a white jersey in 2011. It has nine stage wins, plus three stints in yellow: François Simon in 2000 and Voeckler in 2004 and 2011.