Ag2r La Mondiale (France; UCI ranking 11)

Twenty years ago Ag2r were a little known sponsor of a small regional team but nowadays they are part of the Tour de France scenery, and to mark two decades of commitment and steady progress they’d love to take just one more upward step. They don’t do corporate statements or anything remotely trendy but show them a hill or two and they’re off in search of glory. A squad that realises the fans come to be entertained and that’s what they provide by being present in all the classifications, green jersey excepted. The clash of colours would be horrendous so let’s keep it authentic.

Founded 1992 Bicycles Factor Manager Laurent Biondi

Tours de France 23 Tour wins 0 Stage victories 16 Green jerseys 0 King of the Mountains 0 Days in yellow 16

Name means An amalgamation of two different financial firms, AG2R and La Mondiale.

Tour heritage Second-place finishes for Jean-Christophe Péraud in 2014 and Romain Bardet last year are the finest achievements so far of the oldest French team, competing in its 21st consecutive Tour.

Team leader Romain Bardet (Fr). Second last year after an epic Alpine raid he’s been slowly building and maturing into a potential Grand tour winner. Will do something spectacular – or go down trying.

Romain Bardet: a potential Grand tour winner. Photograph: Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images

Astana Pro Team (Kazakhstan; UCI ranking 15)

Winners at the Dauphine thanks to Jakob Fuglsang, with Fabio Aru one year stronger this dynamic duo could be the dynamite that ignites the GC battle. Who plays Batman and who is Robin will be decided out in the field though Aru is the apple in team manager Vinokourov’s eye. They might be dressed up in baby blue and have what looks like a Teletubbies’ sun stuck on them but don’t forget this organisation have won the overall three times before. Seriously strong squad with no soft centre – they could well be minted in Paris.

Founded 2007 Bicycles Argon 18 Manager Alexandr Vinokourov

Tours de France 16 Tour wins 2 Stage victories 9 Green jerseys 0 King of the Mountains 0 Days in yellow 32

Name means Astana is the capital of Kazakhstan, and also a group of companies working in the car retail and real estate sectors.

Tour heritage Took over the team formerly known as Liberty Seguros in 2006 and immediately plunged into controversy following Alexandre Vinokourov’s positive drugs test in 2007. Alberto Contador, in 2009, and Vincenzo Nibali in 2014 both won the Tour in their colours.

Team leader Fabio Aru (Ita). Italy’s rising star lost his way for a while but he’s back on the warpath again. Never afraid of anyone or their reputation if there’s a GC fight he’ll be involved at some stage.

Fabio Aru (in blue) is back on the warpath again. Photograph: Peter Dejong/AP

Bahrain Merida (Bahrain; UCI ranking 12)

Without their big signing Vincenzo Nibali this new team starts its first Tour with no realistic podium ambitions. Jon Izaguirre will be looking for a solid top 10 and maybe sneak a stage win along the way but otherwise it’s animation and TV time spent in long breaks that will be the orders each morning. They may have the money but it would be ambitious to expect many of Nibali’s support riders to mix it with the big guys when the GC racing starts. Three weeks of non-alcoholic champagne awaits.

Founded 2016 Bicycles Merida Manager Brent Copeland

Tours de France 0 Tour wins 0 Stage victories 0 Green jerseys 0 King of the Mountains 0 Days in yellow 0

Name means Bahrain refers to the country, whose government funds the team. Merida, the co-title sponsor, make their bicycles.

Tour heritage None. They make up for that in meaningful sportswear, their “Bahraini Red” shirts with “Sea Blue” sleeves featuring circles that “represent the dynamic motion towards victory”.

Team leader Sonny Colbrelli (Ita). Might well surprise in the more technical sprint finishes but unless it’s hectic, dangerous and he surfs another leadout train perfectly to a good position he’ll be watching how it’s done from the second-row seats.

Sonny Colbrelli: could surprise in the technical sprint finishes. Photograph: Sebastien Nogier/EPA

BMC Racing Team (United States; UCI ranking 2)

Finally BMC have got the formula right for their leader Richie Porte. No more sharing and no more caring for the little Australian: this has to be the year he delivers the killer blows. Everyone has one goal and they all know the drill: look after Richie, watch what Sky and Movistar do and no sleeping down the back. Here to win and if that means putting even the Olympic champion Greg Van Avermaet on the front then so be it. Classy, structured, beautifully presented and a podium is the minimum expected.

Founded 2007 Bicycles BMC Manager Allan Peiper

Tours de France 7 Tour wins 1 Stage victories 4 Green jerseys 0 King of the Mountains 0 Days in yellow 7

Name means BMC is an acronym for Bicycle Manufacturing Company. It’s a company that manufactures bicycles, based in Grenchen, Switzlerland.

Tour heritage Cadel Evans’ victory in 2011 stands as their greatest achievement, but there have also been two fifth places for Tejay van Garderen.

Team leader Richie Porte (Aus). Following the 2017 script then it’ll take a serious assault to scupper Richie Porte’s ambitions to stand on the top step in Paris. Whoever wins will have to out climb and out time trial him. Good luck with that.

BMC have for the formula right for leader Richie Porte. Photograph: Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images

Bora - Hansgrohe (Germany; UCI ranking 8)

Picture the rainbow jersey winning a Tour stage, add a Peter Sagan celebration and it’s a match made in heaven for sponsors, fans and a news-hungry media. Two-time best climber Rafa Majka likes a laugh too, so all in all those serious Germans at the kitchen factory must be wondering how come they’ve gone from dour to flowers in one season. With a core of riders capable of putting both stars in the right place at the right time this team quietly goes about its business until the price is right.

Founded 2010 Bicycles Specialized Manager Ralph Denk

Tours de France 2 Tour wins 0 Stage victories 0 Green jerseys 0 King of the Mountains 0 Days in yellow 0

Name means Bora are a Bavarian manufacturer of extractor fans, while Hansgrohe is one of the world’s leading producers of shower heads, also based in Germany.

Tour heritage The team formerly known as NetApp-Endura and then Bora-Argon 18 were wildcards in 2014 and returned last year, but have since significantly strengthened.

Team leader Peter Sagan (Svk). Who doesn’t secretly wish they were as talented, likeable and successful as the reigning World Champion? The question is not: “Is he going to win the Green jersey?” but: “Have the Tour organisers bothered bringing any other sizes?”

Peter Sagan (left): talented, likeable and successful. Photograph: Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty Images

Cannondale Drapac (United States; UCI ranking 14)

If recent form is anything to go by then this could be the year that argyle becomes trendy again. It’s taken a long time but the American squad has rediscovered winning after amassing more than their fair share of bad luck, bad form and bad crashes. Talansky, Uran and Rolland ought to make the first selection when the mountain skirmishes begin, unfortunately it’s anyone’s guess what happens next. Bit of an unknown for Taylor Phinney also but at least there’s that magnificent moustache.

Founded 2003 Bicycles Cannondale Manager Jonathan Vaughters

Tours de France 12 Tour wins 0 Stage victories 7 Green jerseys 0 King of the Mountains 0 Days in yellow 7

Name means Cannondale make bicycles in America, where Drapac invests in real estate or, as they put it, “are a property funds management business that identifies value through unorthodox means”.

Tour heritage They have never got a rider onto the podium, but they have come close, taking Christian Vande Velde and Bradley Wiggins to fourth place in 2008 and 2009 respectively.

Team leader Andrew Talansky (USA). Good in America, good in one-week races now it’s beginning to feel like the Grand Tour podium is no longer in reach. Usually falls off at some point so he needs to bounce better and back.

Andrew Talansky (left) needs to bounce better. Photograph: Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images

Cofidis, Solutions Credits (France; UCI ranking: wildcard)

Operating at Pro Continental level, Cofidis will be hard pressed to have a lasting influence on any classification but it won’t be for the want of trying. They’ll put a rider in every break, attack at every lamppost and then when that tactic inevitably fails in the first week the guys not on escape duty will be looking after their pocket rocket Nacer Bouhanni. And if they do a good job of placing him in the final action then he just needs to keep his cool. Yeah right.

Founded 1997 Bicycles Orbea Manager Yvon Sanquer

Tours de France 20 Tour wins 0 Stage victories 10 Green jerseys 0 King of the Mountains 1 Days in yellow 4

Name means Cofidis is a French company offering consumer loans, or credit solutions, if you will.

Tour heritage Ever-present in the Tour since 1997, their 10 stage wins have come in eight different years. Their most recent was in 2008, since when their star has waned.

Team leader Nacer Bouhanni (Fra). You know how they say cyclists can’t fight, well don’t go spouting that to Bouhanni or he’ll have you. If any of the anger management training ever sinks in then that will be the day the air gets punched in victory.

Nacer Bouhanni: needs to keep his cool. Photograph: SWpix.com/Rex/Shutterstock

Direct Energie (France; UCI ranking: wildcard)

Bring on the youngsters because it’s nearly over for the names we’ve heard of. However old they are, Thomas Voeckler and Sylvain Chavanel will show what entertaining the home fans is all about. No they won’t be in every break, the others can do that, but the ones they infiltrate will know about it. Masters of deception and cunning don’t come any wiser and give either of them an inch and that will be that.

Founded 2000 Bicycles BH Manager Jean-René Bernaudeau

Tours de France 17 Tour wins 0 Stage victories 9 Green jerseys 0 King of the Mountains 2 Days in yellow 23

Name means Direct Energie – you can translate it yourself – will provide all your gas and electricity needs. So long as you’re in France.

Tour heritage Their history is intertwined with Voeckler’s – he has spent 17 years in the team and is responsible for 20 of their 23 days in yellow, split 10 apiece between 2004 and 2011, when he finished fourth.

Team leader Thomas Voeckler (Fra). Another swansong for the lord of many faces. He’d do everything possible for another day in Yellow but being a realist, a stage will be a fitting goodbye.

Thomas Voeckler: master of deception and cunning. Photograph: Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty Images

FDJ (France; UCI ranking 16)

Marc Madiot’s team is one of the few GC squads that still contains a serious sprinter. Arnaud Demare might not be the first name the springs to mind but at the end of a long hard stage he can be a nasty surprise for the other fast men. Thibault Pinot on the other hand is a name every French housewife recognises. Emotions will run high if the darling of France is in the front though it remains to be seen how he’s recovered after the Giro.

Founded 1997 Bicycles Lapierre Manager Marc Madiot

Tours de France 20 Tour wins 0 Stage victories 10 Green jerseys 1 King of the Mountains 0 Days in yellow 3

Name means The team, briefly known as FDJeux for a couple of years in the noughties, is sponsored by Française des Jeux, which operates the French national lottery.

Tour heritage France’s favourite team took a stage win in their first year two decades back and have picked them up regularly thereafter, with Pinot sending their ambitions spiralling with a third-place finish in 2014.

Team leader Thibault Pinot (Fra). Hasn’t quite got the form balance between climbing and time trialling right but there will be tears when he does. A whole nation’s expectations weigh heavily at times but he is still a good bet for the podium.

Thibault Pinot: a nation’s expectations weigh heavily. Photograph: Alain Grosclaude/AFP/Getty Images

Fortuneo-Vital Concept (France; UCI ranking: wildcard)

A third Tour start for the lowest ranked team of the race and up until now they performed as expected. They try. But don’t laugh because they do what they can with what they have and that’s good enough to make the break some days, challenge for a few climbs and generally not disgrace themselves totally. It’s a cruel, hard sport and getting a kicking most days for not a lot isn’t pleasant. All they want is some recognition and lots of airtime.

Founded 2005 Bicycles Look Manager Emmanuel Hubert

Tours de France Three Tour wins 0 Stage victories 0 Green jerseys 0 King of the Mountains 0 Days in yellow 0

Name means Fortuneo is an online bank, while Vital Concept – not to be confused with the London-based web design company – sell agricultural and equestrian equipment. Both, like the cycling team, are based in Brittany. Their new name, Fortuneo-Oscaro, has not been officially confirmed – Oscaro sells car parts online.

Tour heritage An originally amateur team turned professional in 2005 and made its Tour debut in 2014. Their most interesting moment so far came when Eduardo Sepúlveda was disqualified in 2015 for hitching a lift in another team’s car.

Team leader Maxime Bouet (Fra). Dedicated nerds will know he used to be at World Tour level with Ag2r then Quick-Step, now he’s a team leader. Solid, dependable and this will be his sixth TdF. He didn’t finish his last one.

Maxime Bouet: solid and dependable. Photograph: Tim de Waele/Corbis via Getty Images

Lotto Soudal (Belgium; UCI ranking 17)

Cycling is tribal in Belgium and if you prefer red to blue then the choice is made easier as both World Tour teams are havens of sprinting prowess. Unlike their big rivals over at Quickstep they don’t win as often, but when they do it’s usually Grand Tour stages and it’s usually thanks to the thunderous thighs of Andre Greipel. Once the fast stuff is over then they have plenty of guys undaunted by four hours into a headwind, mountain pass included. N’est ce pas Thomas De Gendt?

Founded 1985 Bicycles Ridley Manager Marc Sargeant

Tours de France 30 Tour wins 0 Stage victories 33 Green jerseys 3 King of the Mountains 0 Days in yellow 8

Name means A Belgian-based team, the Lotto refers to Belgium’s lottery, while Soudal is “a global leader in sealants, foams and adhesives”.

Tour heritage Cadel Evans’ five-day stint in 2008 is the only time a Lotto Soudal rider has spent more than 24 hours in yellow, but 33 wins over 30 years represents impressive history.

Team leader Andre Greipel (Ger). Winning on the Champs Elysees in 2016 saved a disappointing Tour by his standards, but he won’t be wanting to wait that long into the race to open his account this year. Liege will be the first rendezvous for this member of the sprinting royalty.

Andre Greipel (centre): sprinting royalty. Photograph: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Team Lotto NL - Jumbo (Netherlands; UCI ranking 10)

A solid mix of experience and youth make up a team that quite often springs a surprise. Primoz Roglic has had an impressive record in the time trials this season, George Bennett won the Tour of California and Dylan Groenewegen is coming into form as two sprint victories at the Tour of Norway indicate. With some guidance from guys like Robert Gesink this is a squad which ought to be present on every terrain.

Founded 1984 Bicycles Bianchi Manager Richard Plugge

Tours de France 33 Tour wins 0 Stage victories 48 Green jerseys 2 King of the Mountains 2 Days in yellow 10

Name means The third lottery-funded team, this one is powered by the Dutch version – the letters N and L were added to the name to avoid confusion – and by the supermarket chain Jumbo.

Tour heritage Enjoyed greatest success under the sponsorship of Rabobank, between 1996 and 2012, a period since tainted by doping-related revelations.

Team leader Primoz Roglic (Slv): Used to be a ski jumper and was World junior champion no less. 183 metres was his best distance, but nowadays he likes a longer time flying along on his own. Watch this space.

Primoz Roglic: used to be a ski jumper. Photograph: Luca Zennaro/EPA

Team Sky (Great Britain; UCI ranking 4)

The defending champions must be hoping the change from black to white jerseys also cleans up their fortunes after a difficult period on and off the bikes. So far it’s been a poor year relatively speaking for the GC riders too and though Michal Kwiatkowski has been stellar everyone seems to be hitting the deck more than Dave Brailsford’s targets. Froome, Landa and Thomas have some hard days ahead but Sky still start as the team to beat.

Founded 2009 Bicycles Pinarello Manager Dave Brailsford

Tours de France 7 Tour wins 4 Stage victories 14 Green jerseys 0 King of the Mountains 1 Days in yellow 58

Name means Sky refers to a British satellite television subscription service, and to the particular kind of blue thinking that has fuelled their success.

Tour heritage The long blue lines on this year’s kit each represent a Tour win, and there are a few of them: Sky have won four of the last five Tours.

Team leader: Chris Froome (GB). No wins yet but this is the only race that matters. Will have to be on his best form and, even then, if the others gang up on Sky like they did to BMC at the Dauphine there’ll be trouble at mill.

Chris Froome: some hard days ahead. Photograph: Peter Dejong/AP

Team Sunweb (Germany; UCI ranking 7)

On a high after Tom Dumoulin’s Giro victory so they’ll be hoping some of that rubs off on Michael Matthews and Warren Barguil. The former is one of the few riders who can take on Peter Sagan in a punchy finish and the latter can climb in the front group but it’s been a while since he’s been at his best. No matter they’ll still be smiling all the way through to Paris and if they do win a stage or have a jersey to defend for a while then that will be mission accomplished.

Founded 2005 Bicycles Giant Manager Iwan Spekenbrink

Tours de France 6 Tour wins 0 Stage victories 11 Green jerseys 0 King of the Mountains 0 Days in yellow 2

Name means Sunweb is a Dutch package holiday company, making their sponsorship debut this year after taking over from Giant-Alpecin.

Tour heritage Have won at least one stage in each of the last four years, with Marcel Kittel taking four each in 2013 and 2014 and Tom Dumoulin two last year.

Team leader Michael Matthews (Aus). Stepped out of his cosy Aussie surroundings to join Sunweb and it hasn’t taken long for him to settle down to some solid results. Still on an upward trajectory, but so is that guy Sagan.

Michael Matthews (left): on an upward trajectory. Photograph: Gian Ehrenzeller/EPA

Movistar Team (Spain; UCI ranking 3)

If Alejandro Valverde continues in the same way he has started this season then the Tour could have a new oldest winner. Firmin Lambot can rest slightly easier knowing that It’s not likely given the Spaniard usually has one fatal day in the mountains to scupper his chances. And there are lots of mountains. That’s where Nairo Quintana steps into the leadership role and does what Colombians do best. With Movistar the theory is always impeccable, the tactics spot on and the back up to make that happen in place. Go on Nairo, what are you waiting for?

Founded 1980 Bicycles Canyon Manager Eusebio Unzué

Tours de France 35 Tour wins 7 Stage victories 31 Green jerseys 0 King of the Mountains 1 Days in yellow 73

Name means Movistar is the largest mobile phone operator in Spain, owned by the same company that operates 02 in the UK.

Tour heritage Miguel Indurain’s five back-to-back wins in the 1990s, when the team raced under the name Banesto, put them among the big boys.

Team leader Nairo Quintana (Col): The lightweight climber is oft criticised for waiting until the last climb, not attacking enough, riding a defensive race. With so few time trials and some epic passes to negotiate his chances are good.

Nairo Quintana: what are you waiting for? Photograph: Fabio Ferrari/AP

Orica - Scott (Australia; UCI ranking 5)

Normally this Australian outfit would throw itself at the first week of racing, get noticed and then sit back and enjoy the memories. But with two of the best young riders in the peloton in Esteban Chaves and the other Yates twin, Simon, they’ll be involved in the GC all race long. Both are bit inexperienced but the bar has been set at fourth and the White jersey last year (thanks to Adam Yates) and they’ll be expecting nothing less.

Founded 2011 Bicycles Scott Manager Shayne Bannan

Tours de France 5 Tour wins 0 Stage victories 3 Green jerseys 0 King of the Mountains 0 Days in yellow 4

Name means Orica, “the world’s largest provider of commercial explosives and innovative blasting systems”, have announced that their sponsorship will end this year. Which must have been a bombshell.

Tour heritage Short, but Esteban Chaves’s second place in last year’s Giro d’Italia suggested good times to come. He makes his Tour debut this year.

Team leader Simon Yates (GB): A slightly more explosive version of brother Adam but equally talented when it comes to climbing. One to watch for sure.

Simon Yates: inexperienced but one to watch. Photograph: Javier Etxezarreta/EPA

Quick-Step Floors (Belgium; UCI ranking 1)

As suits their Classic tendencies the World’s best team will be taking things one day at a time. First rendezvous Liege and despite leaving Germany Marcel Kittel will be expected to deliver an epic sprint. Controlling the race to make sure that happens will be the team’s job on every other flat day too. Belgians like things orderly so Dan Martin will be expected to finish in the top ten of GC and Philippe Gilbert win at least one stage. I can see no reason why that won’t happen.

Founded 2003 Bicycles Specialized Manager Patrick Lefevere

Tours de France 14 Tour wins 0 Stage victories 28 Green jerseys 1 King of the Mountains 2 Days in yellow 10

Name means Quick-Step, a manufacturer of laminate flooring, is enjoying its first year as sole title sponsors, allowing it to add the explanatory word “floors” to the team name.

Tour heritage Dan Martin’s ninth place last year was the team’s all-time best general classification finish, but its main aim is stages.

Team leader Marcel Kittel (Ger). Monumentally sleek, the big German provides lots of shelter so his back wheel is the one all the other sprinters want to be on in the last 200m. Then they pop out and the realisation hits them that his hair really is styled by speed.

Marcel Kittel (centre): monumentally sleek. Photograph: Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty Images

Team Dimension Data (South Africa; UCI ranking 18)

Things just haven’t been adding up for the African squad this year. Illness and injury have plagued their star riders and it’s been a long road to recovery. But they’re back at the event where they made names for themselves and that always inspires. A spell in the Polka dot jersey will be enough for Daniel Teklehaimanot but Edvald Boasson Hagen needs to reboot his career otherwise he’ll be joining the rank and file at the service of the Manx missile. They can leave Steve Cummings alone at the back, he’s planning a special day out.

Founded 2007 Bicycles Cervelo Manager Douglas Ryder

Tours de France 2 Tour wins 0 Stage victories 6 Green jerseys 0 King of the Mountains 0 Days in yellow 1

Name means Dimension Data are an IT company. Until last year they were known as Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka, Qhubeka being a bicycle-related African charity, but they trimmed it because the public assumed having their name on a Tour team meant Qhubeka were so rich they no longer required donations.

Tour heritage Mark Cavendish won four and Stephen Cummings another as Dimension Data won an eyebrow-raising 24% of last year’s 21 stages.

Team leader Mark Cavendish (GB). With a lack of racing, it’ll either go spectacularly well or rather badly for Cav. One thing is for sure he’ll be fresh and raring to break Eddy Merckx’s record of 34 stage wins but it just might not be this year.

Mark Cavendish: lack of racing. Photograph: Jeff Pachoud/AFP/Getty Images

Team Katusha Alpecin (Switzerland; UCI ranking 9)

As a former world TT champion Tony Martin knows all about pain which is just as well because destiny awaits in Dusseldorf. Someone will be in yellow and everyone expects it’ll be the likeable German. No pressure then. Katusha won’t be troubling the GC and as a result there will be even more stress for the sprint leadout to get it right for Alexander Kristoff. If that goes badly they’ll be rewarded with bathing in caffeine shampoo morning, noon and night.

Founded 2009 Bicycles Canyon Manager José Azevdo

Tours de France 8 Tour wins 0 Stage victories 7 Green jerseys 0 King of the Mountains 0 Days in yellow 0

Name means Katusha make sporty clothes, and Alpecin make caffeine-based shampoo sold, at least in Great Britain, as “German engineering for your hair”. Katusha, or Katyusha, is a diminutive of the Russian name Ekaterina. The team are not to be confused with Katyusha rockets launchers, though they are nearly as fast.

Tour heritage Originally a Russian team, they have now moved to Switzerland and rebranded as “a solid international project”. Five stage wins in the last three years are promising.

Team leader Alexander Kristoff (Nor). Almost as good as Kittlel, Cavendish and Greipel; if things go well then he knows he can win a stage. However those other pesky sprinters aren’t at all intimidated by his presence.

Alexander Kristoff: potential stage winner. Photograph: Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty Images

Trek - Segafredo (United States; UCI ranking 6)

All the planning, patience and build up has been leading to what may well be Contador’s final chance of another Tour victory. It’ll be difficult though as Porte has progressed and the Spaniard hasn’t ever cracked Froome in July. Bauke Mollema comes in as his ultimate lieutenant but they don’t have the same depth as Movistar and Sky in the mountains. Being isolated has never bothered Contador before and it won’t now. One miscalculation from his rivals and they’ll be chasing a long time.

Founded 2011 Bicycles Trek Manager Luca Guercilena

Tours de France 6 Tour wins 0 Stage victories 4 Green jerseys 0 King of the Mountains 0 Days in yellow 10

Name means Trek produce bicycles in America; Segafredo produce more than 50 million cups of espresso a day.

Tour heritage Fabian Cancellara is single-handedly responsible for seven of their 10 days in yellow, having led the Tour for the first week in 2012. Two-time winner Alberto Contador’s Tour heritage is impeccable.

Team leader Alberto Contador (Esp). Ten years at the top is beginning to take its toll on the man from Madrid, however the big rendezvous are what drives him and you suspect there’s one more GT win to come. An oldie but a goodie.

Alberto Contador (right): an oldie but a goodie. Photograph: Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images

UAE Team Emirates (United Arab Emirates; UCI ranking 13)

The former Lampre set-up saved from extinction by a last minute Emirati takeover. Most of their focus is on Italian roads and so far there’s been nothing much to shout about. Ben Swift will be given some freedom otherwise their main concern will be keeping Meintjes out of trouble and in sight of a top ten finish.

Founded 1991 Bicycles Colnago Manager Carlo Saronni

Tours de France 19 Tour wins 0 Stage victories 13 Green jerseys 2 King of the Mountains 0 Days in yellow 2

Name means Significant Emirati investment. Since last year Lampre have been bought by a Chinese consortium, rescued by an Abu Dhabi individual and finally sponsored by Emirates airline.

Tour heritage They “aim to be a top-three team within three years” but after one stage win in the last six years it is a distant goal.

Team leader Louis Meintjes (Rsa). Bailed out of MTN when they recruited Mark Cavendish and it’s been a wise move for the young South African. Loses concentration and drifts to the back too often but there’s nothing wrong with his climbing skills although you barely notice he’s usually in the front group.

Louis Meintjes: drifts to the back too often. Photograph: Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images

Wanty–Groupe Gobert (Belgium; UCI ranking: wildcard)

In the competition to attack on every stage and never mind what’s on the menu that day. Nobody for the GC or the sprints or any of the jerseys really but you’ll know they are in the race even if it all turns out to be ultimately futile. Coming from the land of the kermesse they’ll fight for every Euro.

Founded 2008 Bicycles Cube Manager Jean-François Bourlart

Tours de France 0 Tour wins 0 Stage victories 0 Green jerseys 0 King of the Mountains 0 Days in yellow 0

Name means The Gobert Group sell construction materials, and Wanty – founded by Maurice Wanty in 1946 – make stuff using them. And other materials, probably.

Tour heritage None whatsoever. The team and all nine of their riders are dipping their toes in the Tour pool for the very first time.

Team leader Yoann Offredo (Fra). Worthy but don’t expect any cigars, or champagne for that matter. Like the rest of the squad he’ll be out front given the chance it’s just that the others with him are usually stronger.

Yoann Offredo: worthy, but don’t expect any cigars. Photograph: LC/Corbis via Getty Images

This article was amended on 28 June 2017 to correct the year Cadel Evans won the Tour.