"We can't afford to gamble" - Axel Laurance relaxed, but fully focused before the Grand Départ

It's only his first year as a part of the INEOS Grenadiers, but Axel Laurance immediately found his way into a Tour de France selection. His second. Yet the thing he looks forward to the most is the iconic Champs-Élysées as it wasn't a part of the route last year.

"I'm confident and relaxed at the same time, so it's cool," he confided to Cyclism'Actu among others in the mixed zone after the team presentation in Lille.

Coming into the race, the French puncheur doesn't seem overly stressed about the explosive parcours of the first week. And rightly so, looking at his performances this year. "It was a good Dauphiné for me, and at the French Championships, I had really good legs, it went pretty well [5th, ed.]. So I'm really approaching this Tour de France confident."

"I can't wait to discover the Champs-Élysées this year [the finish was in Nice in 2024, ed.], it's quite legendary on the Tour. Plus with Montmartre, there could be an even stronger excitement, it could be really nice to finish this Tour."

During the iconic era of Sky train, the British team would sacrifice everything for general classification but looking at this year's selection, it is clear that those days are gone with multiple stage hunters. "There will be the general classification, with Carlos Rodriguez of course. And then, the stage victories with Sam, Tobias, me or Pippo..." he explains.

"We have a bit of a dual role in this race. We have a very good team, there is a way to do good things every day. Of course, the general classification, we saw that it was very tough in all the races where Pogacar participates. But we have to fight and try. Even if he is not on the podium, Carlos shows that he has been there for years, he is solid, consistent and still young, he can still improve," continues Laurance.

It will be a special edition for the British team with return of legendary team boss Dave Brailsford. "No, I have not seen him yet, but it seems to me that he will come. I did not know him as I have just arrived in the team, but I am looking forward to meeting him. He has always been around and involved in the team, more in INEOS sport. He is coming back a little closer, it is good for us."

"We can't afford to gamble on the Tour. We'll have to avoid all pitfalls." Especially the first week seems like some victims have to emerge. "We're going to have a slightly more nervous start than last year, there are a lot of things that can be dangerous in this first week, but it also leaves opportunities for riders like me," he points out with a sparkle in his eye.