Quintana "must have a good general classification in mind" Arkéa Samsic says

Nairo Quintana has been confirmed as the leader of Arkéa Samsic at the Tour de France and will be aiming high at the overall classification, in a route that suits the climbers and will feature altitude such as he loves.

“We are counting on Nairo to lead and take his responsibilities. We hope he achieves a good GC on the evening of the Champs-Élysées," Yvon Ledanois said in a press release from the team as they announced the riders that will be riding alongside. Although the likes of Nicolas Edet and Michel Ries are missing from the lineup, he confirmed that Quintana will have a lot of support: “Nairo will have riders 100 percent dedicated to him."

"He must have a good general classification in mind, while also having the idea of aiming for a stage success in the mountains," he added. Quintana was in his peak a prolific Grand Tour contender, winner of the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España, and for three times on the Tour podium - his first three attempts. Ever since he's struggled to remain consistent as a stage-racer, however with occasional displays of terrific climbing prowess which still make him one of the most dangerous riders in the mountains even against the very best.

DS Yvon Caër has said that “our goal is to have a strong GC with Nairo. We bring a mix of riders, especially in light of the challenging first week of the race, with cobblestones and wind. We have climbers who can support Nairo in the mountains as well as riders who can handle the first week," he added. With the likes of Hugo Hofstetter, Amaury Capiot, Connor Swift and Matis Louvel, the French team will be stacked with firepower to attack the faster stages if it is necessary, where Quintana has years of experience.