4 French teams in the World Tour?

[CasperVg]

With Cofidis now focussing on promoting to the WT next season (http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/wielrennen/120601_Cofidis_sponsor) it looks as if the possibility exists that 4 French teams might make it to the WT (AG2R, FDJ, Cofidis and Europcar (if they do well at Le Tour again)). Isn't that a bit much? Espessially since the French teams don't really tend to show a lot in WT races (AG2R has been quite dissappointing for the past 2 seasons (except for Gadret at il Giro maybe) and FDJ hasn't exactly shown much this season either.

 

[Fetisoff]

Hmm, less than a week ago we've been talking about Cofidis possibly collapsing due to Moncoutie retiring and Taramae leaving the team. Now WT? No way they're in next year, if they are it will be at the expense of FDJ probably, who don't have all that many points. Europcar? Do they have enough finances to be a WT team? I'm not sure, would be OK if they were in, much better than FDJ.

All in all, I don't think we'll have more than 2 French teams in the WT anywhere in the near future

 

[rzombie1988]

I don't think they will get in, same with Europcar. The World Tour will be lucky if it has 4 teams period left within the next few years.

 

[CasperVg]

Hmm, less than a week ago we've been talking about Cofidis possibly collapsing due to Moncoutie retiring and Taramae leaving the team. Now WT? No way they're in next year, if they are it will be at the expense of FDJ probably, who don't have all that many points. Europcar? Do they have enough finances to be a WT team? I'm not sure, would be OK if they were in, much better than FDJ.

All in all, I don't think we'll have more than 2 French teams in the WT anywhere in the near future

Yeah apparently Cofidis has extended sponsorship to at least 2016, and wants to attract some big names to get into the WT. Not sure if there's that many "big names" out of contract at the end of this season though.

 

[Cancellator]

Yeah apparently Cofidis has extended sponsorship to at least 2016, and wants to attract some big names to get into the WT. Not sure if there's that many "big names" out of contract at the end of this season though.

Maybe the Schlecks, haha.

 

[thehog]

.....and what has RadioShack or Lampre done in the last few seasons? Nothing. Bring on the French.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

4 French teams in the WT next year

Seriously though, for 4 French teams some teams really need to improve a bit. Europcar would be great in the WT, they have many excellent riders who will leave a mark on the WT races for sure. Teams like Cofidis, AG2R and FDJ all have a couple of nice riders, but they're not exactly leaving a mark on the WT races right now.

AG2R has riders like Gadret and Peraud for GC contending, but they're not getting any younger. Bardet is probably a good promise for the future.

FDJ has a few intresting riders for the future, especially Demare and Pinot.

Cofidis is losing it's good riders (Moncoutie and Taaramae) but apparently they're going to buy new ones

In my opinion FDJ might be the weakest, but I really want Pinot and Demare (and also Bouhanni, Jeannesson and some other riders) to be WT. I can see all of these teams make be there in the next season at WT level, but I'm not sure whether all will

 

[Gloin22]

I would like next year too have 2 French teams imo.

FDJ ---> Stays in WT. Had fairly good year so far.

Europcar ----> Promotes to WT. Adds excitement to every race and some great riders

AG2R -----> Relegated. Hasnt shown much this year tbh

Cofids ----> Stays at Conti level.

 

[Caruut]

Europcar will probably go up if they can hang onto the stars, Ag2r must surely go down one of these years.

 

[hrotha]

.....and what has RadioShack or Lampre done in the last few seasons? Nothing. Bring on the French.

Winning Dauphiné, Suisse and Basque Country (twice), for example?

 

[CasperVg]

4 French teams in the WT could mean better/new wildcards for the Tour too, I guess. Then again, who would they invite? Androni? Colombia? NetApp?

 

[janraaskalt]

4 French teams in the WT could mean better/new wildcards for the Tour too, I guess. Then again, who would they invite? Androni? Colombia? NetApp?

Euskaltel, Saur, Lampre, Saxo Bank. If those French teams are in the WT, some smaller teams have to go out.

 

[Red Rick]

4 French teams if way too much. What do those teams offer. None of them have a GT rider (except maybe for Rolland and Pinot), good sprinter or classic rider. They're basically all escapées

 

[janraaskalt]

4 French teams if way too much. What do those teams offer. None of them have a GT rider (except maybe for Rolland and Pinot), good sprinter or classic rider. They're basically all escapées

FDJ has Huta, Bouhanni and Demare. These are all decent sprinters.

I do agree however that the French lack some real top riders. Voeckler is good, but not someone who's a favorite in top races.

 

[thehog]

Winning Dauphiné, Suisse and Basque Country (twice), for example?

When did RadioShack win these races? I'm confused.

 

[Finn84]

When did RadioShack win these races? I'm confused.

Pais Vasco - 2010 Horner, 2011 Klöden
Dauphiné - 2010 Brajkovic
Suisse - 2011 Leipheimer

 

[roundabout]

The best news is the sponsorship extention of Cofidis. Hopefully it's not too WT dependant.

Whether or not they got to WT or deserve to be there is of less importance to me.

 

[ElChingon]

Wow, big wins there Finn (not!).

Hopefully Cofidis will buy some riders for 2013, lets see who's on the market, hummm... Contador. Recent rumblings that he may not be so solid with Riis for 2013. Then riders from the hopefully Radio Shack disbandment to come after July, I'm sure there are more as well to come.