Bardet was one riders to really take the race up to Froome at the recent Tour de France, winning the stage to Peyregudes and maintaining second place overall until falling behind Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac) in the final time trial in Marseille.
He normally has his laser focus concentrated on performing in France during July, but this announcement signals a change in approach.
"I am very happy to have a chance to participate in the Vuelta, not only as a way to avoid the monotony of a usual program, but also to compete in two Grand Tours in one season for the first time in my career," Bardet said in the AG2R La Mondiale press release.
"For several months I have been considering the possibility of competing in the Vuelta a España, and after speaking with the general management of the team as well as the staff, they have reinforced this idea as an option for me. This is an important step in the life as a professional racer, and I feel that I have the maturity to tackle it."
Bardet went on to say that he will have different goals than what he held for the Tour, but hopes to "figure prominently in those stages that correspond to my strengths."
Team manager Vincent Lavenu said Bardet had reached "a physical maturity which allows him to compete in two Grand Tours in the same season."
"This is a logical progression in his career," said Lavenu, "even if double Grand Tours a season will not necessarily become the norm in future years. His condition at the end of the Tour will allow him to approach the Vuelta with confidence. We will line up at the Vuelta with a very good team and have several riders who will be able to play a large role in the overall standings as well as during individual stages."
Other members of the squad will include Domenico Pozzovivo, Matteo Montaguti, Alexandre Geniez, Samuel Dumoulin and Alexis Gougeard. The rest of the team will be announced after the BinckBank Tour, with Hugo Houle, Clement Chevrier, Julien Duval and Nico Denz competing for the last two places.
