AG2R Citroën Team reveal young lineup for Giro d'Italia, Aurélien Paret-Peintre assigned leading duties in search of GC result

AG2R Citroën Team are taking three Grand Tour debutants into the Giro d'Italia as they look to prepare their young block of talents. The French team is focusing on the Tour de France, and so are chasing stage wins at the Corsa Rosa with Aurélien Paret-Peintre the biggest card on the table.

The Frenchman will according to the team be pursuing a Top10 result at the end of the Giro, something which is quite possible taking into consideration his recent performances. In the two Grand Tours he completed (2020 Giro and 2021 Tour) he finished 16th and 15th respectively, he has finished 11th at Paris-Nice, 13th at the recent Tour of the Alps, but has won a stage and finished second at the Tour de Alpes Maritimes et du Var earlier in the year.

"Aurélien is our unique leader. He will do everything possible to achieve the best possible overall classification," team Sports Manager Laurent Biondi said in a press release. "Racing the Giro d'Italia was a request from him, his motivation is high. He has prepared himself well, including a 20-day course at Etna with Mikaël. His ability to federate and pull the group upwards will be invaluable to take the whole team with him towards this objective of the general classification. Depending on how the race goes, Aurélien may have the opportunity to win a stage. He is a winner."

The lineup includes Andrea Vendrame who is a former stage winner in the race. Mikaël Cherel, Larry Warbasse and Nicolas Prodhomme add further firepower, whilst the team sees a debut in a three-week race for Alex Baudin, Paul Lapeira and Valentin Paret-Peintre.

AG2R Citroën Team for Giro d'Italia:

Alex Baudin, Mikaël Cherel, Paul Lapeira, Aurélien Paret-Peintre, Valentin Paret-Peintre, Nicolas Prodhomme, Andrea Vendrame and Larry Warbasse.