The all-rounder Kévin Vauquelin could be the beautiful French surprise of this Tour de France. 2nd of the Walloon Arrow with his qualities as a puncher, but also a good roller – crowned French vice-champion in the specialty last week, 3 seconds from gold – the member of the team Akéa-B&B Hotels will have his card to play, especially on the almost 60 kilometers of time trial on the program. The 23-year-old Norman will not have any pressure for the general classification, but said he “impatient” to take his first pedal strokes on the Tour and why not, “aim for the steps”.
Video – Kevin Vauquelin will discover the Tour de France
“Romain Bardet? A runner who commands respect”
“I also want to have fun up frontexplain Kévin Vauquelin at a press conference. It was the race that got me into cycling and really love cycling, so it’s quite special and a great discovery. QWhen we have all the banners at the start, we will realize even more the rigor of the event. LThe general classification, I will not worry about it. I will try to do very good times, it is really the objective. It’s still a very good level at the Tour de France. I also want to see where I puts me at the end of a week of racing and three weeks. I will try to put the odds for my part, even sometimes taking escapes which perhaps will not go to the end, and why not get a distinctive jersey.”
Enfant, Kévin Vauquelin would cheer on the runners at the side of the road. “I thought, I don’t know if I’d be as stupid as them, but in the end, I am. And I’m going to expect to suffer on the bike from the start (with the high temperatures forecast).” Finally, he slipped a little word on Romain Bardethis compatriot who will compete in his last Big loop : “It was still there trying to fight with his weapons. He is a runner who commands respect. It’s really showing someone who’s completely dedicated to a bike and pushing through things.”
