Romain Bardet a protected rider for Paris-Nice

Romain Bardet started 2014 strongly with the best young rider and 13th overall at the Tour of Oman and backed up his Persian Gulf result with victory at La Drôme Classic on Sunday. The 23-year-old AG2R-La Mondiale rider will share the leadership responsibilities at the 72nd Paris-Nice with Carlos Betancur, who already has an overall win to his name this season, the Haut-var.

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