Bryan Coquard Discussion Thread

[tobydawq]

He would surely have been able to make a bigger impact than what they can now in the sprints.

Bernaudeau's explanation and fixation on him not being able to best Démare is extremely stupid because, while it's true that Coquard hasn't shown the best form of his life recently, none other riders will be capable to do that either.

It equates to a scenario in which Katusha would not take Kristoff to the cobbled classics because he hasn't been very successful in them for the past two years - without having a viable contingency plan (the example is purely hypothetical as he is unlikely to ride for Katusha next year).

 

[GraftPunk]

The DS apparently got hurt in the feels. As someone else mentioned, what do the sponsors think?

 

[portugal11]

Coquard doesn't have capacity to be leader in a worldtour team.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Coquard doesn't have capacity to be leader in a worldtour team.

Doesnt need to be a leader tho, he would be great in a 2011 Rojas-role on a big team.

 

[Ruby United]

I've always thought of Coquard as a bit overrated, but this is a joke.
Bernaudeau is clearly letting personal conflict influence his decision. As a DS, that means that he is not doing his job properly and therefore deserves to be fired. Harsh, I know, but so was he.

And then the fact that he cannot even admit to the real reason..... 'A sporting decision'..... Give me a break.

 

[Sestriere]

He wouldn't be the leader of the whole team obviously. But teams like Astana or AG2R don't have a real sprinter. If Coquard would join one of them, he would be pretty much guaranteed to ride all of the spring classics, finally doing Milano-Sanremo.
Concerning Grand Tours, it would be more problematic as both teams are pretty GC-orientated. Particularly at Astana there is not really any place for sprinters at both, Giro and Tour.

 

[Tonton]

It's BS on JRB's part. What a way to thank the guy who kept your team afloat for the past 4-5 years...a pity.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Never go full genius.

 

[BigMac]

I'm outraged!


Poor Bryan.

 

[jaylew]

It's BS on JRB's part. What a way to thank the guy who kept your team afloat for the past 4-5 years...a pity.

This. Sad.

 

[Kwibus]

Who will do the sprints for direct energie now?
Petit or Boudat? Anyone knows?

 

[tobydawq]

Re:

Who will do the sprints for direct energie now?
Petit or Boudat? Anyone knows?

They will probably both be sent home pretty early due to them not being better than Démare. (Seriously, I don't know who they will ride for - they will probably both be given chances).

 

[IndianCyclist]

he is their best sprinter yet they leave him at home. This shenanigan has been going on for quite some time and obviously has affected his focus and hence the loss in form. Hopefully other than no participation in tdf there is no other retaliation like pay stoppage etc.
I think the UCI should have some rules on this type of harassment as there are in the corporate world. this type of coercion should be banned

 

[toolittle]

Re:

Top French teams are good for him.
As FDJ has Demare, AG2R seems to be a good destination.

 

[StryderHells]

Re:

Who will do the sprints for direct energie now?
Petit or Boudat? Anyone knows?

Petit for the harder finishes and Boudat for the easier ones, basically the role Couquard could of filled in either situation but not as good.

 

[Leinster]

Re: Re:

Top French teams are good for him.
As FDJ has Demare, AG2R seems to be a good destination.

AG2R has Bardet. They don't want a sprinter, not one for racing in France in July anyway.

 

[toolittle]

Re: Re:

Top French teams are good for him.
As FDJ has Demare, AG2R seems to be a good destination.

AG2R has Bardet. They don't want a sprinter, not one for racing in France in July anyway.

Of course not for TDF. What is the outcome when Coquard flight head to head with top form Cavendish, Kittel, etc?
Coquard is great for Classics, Giro, Veulta and some smaller races.

I saw the news that Bardet, Latour, Naesan will be on board till 2020, AG2R is going to be a solid team.
If they could add sprinter such as Coquard and a strong TTer such as Alex Dowsett.
AG2R will be a Top one.

 

[Alexandre B.]

No Tour for le Coq but he'll have a nice consolation prize and the honor to lead France in the European Championships.

Provisional list

 

[can3478]

Re:

No Tour for le Coq but he'll have a nice consolation prize and the honor to lead France in the European Championships.

Provisional list

Glad to see Coquard has this great opportunity to lead the French team.

But now that Arnaud Demare is no longer racing at TDF, will he be added to the team?

 

[jaylew]

Congrats on winning more French cup races, Bryan. The guy has no ambition.

 

[Robert5091]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/dir...-wanty-secure-2018-tour-de-france-wild-cards/

The Vital Concept team, which is the new home to French sprinter Bryan Coquard, has missed out on a place in the Tour, but was given the consolation of a place in the Criterium du Dauphine (June 3-10).

No TdF ... :sad:

 

[Tonton]

Re:

Congrats on winning more French cup races, Bryan. The guy has no ambition.

C'mon man...it's not lie he doesn't want to. But again, when you sign with a small team, you should now that it's likely to happen. Too bad. I feel bad for him.

 

[Leinster]

He isn’t a good enough sprinter to command a Tour start with a World Tour team.

He has a point that it’s a bit unfair to hand out the invitations before the first race of the season, but then at least Conti teams can plan their season better.

 

[Jspear]

Re:

He isn’t a good enough sprinter to command a Tour start with a World Tour team.

He has a point that it’s a bit unfair to hand out the invitations before the first race of the season, but then at least Conti teams can plan their season better.

I'd give 8 teams the heads up that they're maybe going to the Tour and then have those teams and riders prove themselves through the year. I do feel for Coquard....

 

[yaco]

Except Cofodis continues to receive an automatic invitation to the TDF, despite not winning a stage since 2006 !