Cofidis have introduced the extension of their sponsorship of their biking groups till 2028, fuelling solutions that Julian Alaphilippe might grow to be the French staff’s chief in 2025.
Cofidis received two phases on the 2023 Tour de France because of Ion Izagirre and Victor Lafay however are at the moment ranked nineteenth within the 2024 UCI males’s staff rating and have been struggling to safe outcomes and very important rating factors. They are within the struggle to keep away from relegation from the World Tour in 2026, however have set a brand new lofty purpose of “getting nearer to the highest 10 within the WorldTour and becoming a member of the ladies’s WorldTour.”
Cofidis mentioned that it’ll “present the staff with the means to strengthen and retain expertise who fly the flag for the staff and proceed to make the corporate’s workers proud.”
The 2024 Cofidis roster consists of Guillaume Martin, Bryan Coquard, Simon Geschke and Ion and Gorka Izagirre. The girls’s Continental staff consists of French nationwide champion Victoire Berteau, who completed eighth at Paris-Roubaix. Cofidis additionally sponsors a profitable para-cycling staff.
Alaphilippe’s contract with Soudal Quick-Step ends this 12 months and his relationship with Patrick Lefevere stays chilly after the staff supervisor’s repeated public criticism.
At 31, Alaphilippe is maybe previous his greatest, although his Classics marketing campaign was hindered by racing with a painful micro-fracture on the head of fibula bone after a crash at Strade Bianche. He will subsequent be in motion on the Giro d’Italia.
“This information present of confidence permits us to look to the longer term with serenity and stability,” staff supervisor Cédric Vasseur mentioned.
“The begin to the season is less than our expectations however you will need to me to thank your entire staff for his or her dedication to every of the races. I’m satisfied that, like this extension, the excellent news and successes will rapidly return. Having visibility till 2028 is a chance to construct in the long run, retain riders and strengthen our staff.”
Vassuer made it clear he was concerned about Alaphilippe firstly of the season.
“Julian wants a brand new problem in his profession and we shouldn’t disguise from that. I don’t suppose that Patrick Lefevere will struggle to maintain him, so we’re open to discussions.” Vassuer mentioned.
Cofidis has been concerned in biking for 27 years, utilizing the game to advertise its loans and monetary merchandise. The firm is predicated in northern France but in addition does enterprise throughout Europe.
“There is a historical past and a powerful inner attachment between Cofidis and biking which makes our groups proud,” Gilles Sauret, the President of Cofidis mentioned.
“Since the start, our values have echoed these of this sport. In the wake of our runners, biking is a actuality for a lot of of our workers, whether or not for commuting or leisure journey.
“We can repeatedly understand the keenness that the riders aroused inside the group, as was the case in the course of the two stage victories skilled over the past Tour de France. By renewing our dedication, we’re eager to proceed this story which is now a part of the historical past of our lovely model.”
