Cofidis Team thread

[Pozzovivo]

Cofidis is one of the longest-standing teams in professional cycling, with a history stretching back to 1997, it seems fitting that we have a dedicated thread to discuss them!

Let's talk about the current season, rider performances, management decisions, and long-term outlook. This thread is meant to collect all Cofidis-related discussion in one place.

Success at le Tour de France - Moncoutie stage win 2005

Success at le Tour de France - Victor Lafay stage win 2023

 

[Pozzovivo]

Cofidis is such a loyal sponsor of cycling - they deserve so much more than what they are getting out of the team!

It is a shame that they are not more hands-on in selecting management. Somehow they trust Vasseur, and that is the worst mistake they have made.

 

[Pozzovivo]

This Giro has been an absolute shocker by our boys. I think Samitier have shown decent form at times but he can't compete on this level. Sylvain Moniquet has been at a poor climbing level and should be on a 1.1 calender trying to get top 10 for points. Fretin did what he could and pulled out at the right time - that was ok. Oldani is a good rider but had injuries before the Giro.

Time to bury the myth that having an extra grand tour is that beneficial for the weaker teams in the points battle. BUT - Still better than Groupama on some metrics even when they brought Napoleon III (Gaudu).

#	Team	Score	Best GC	Stage wins	GC lead (days)	Green (days)	KOM (days)	Youth (days)	Stage Top-3s	Stage Top-10s
1	Lidl - Trek	965	54	6	5	19	–	5	8	15
2	UAE Team Emirates - XRG	705	1	2	11	–	–	13	8	18
3	Team Visma | Lease a Bike	398	3	2	–	–	–	–	7	14
4	XDS Astana Team	385	20	1	1	–	17	–	4	12
5	EF Education - EasyPost	359	2	2	–	–	–	–	4	11
6	INEOS Grenadiers	200	6	1	–	–	–	–	4	12
7	Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe	185	7	1	2	–	–	–	3	6
8	Team Picnic PostNL	180	11	1	–	–	–	–	3	11
9	Alpecin - Deceuninck	150	87	1	–	–	–	–	3	5
10	Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale	135	16	1	–	–	–	–	1	8
11	Team Jayco AlUla	125	28	1	–	–	–	–	1	6
12	Bahrain - Victorious	111	5	–	–	–	–	–	1	15
13	Israel - Premier Tech	92	4	–	–	–	–	–	1	7
14	Movistar Team	75	8	–	–	–	–	–	2	9
15	Tudor Pro Cycling Team	70	9	–	–	–	–	–	2	8
16	Soudal Quick-Step	65	19	–	–	–	–	–	2	7
17	Cofidis	55	55	–	–	–	2	–	1	4
18	Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team	50	17	–	–	–	–	–	1	7
19	VF Group - Bardiani CSF - Faizanè	35	68	–	–	–	–	–	–	7
20	Team Polti VisitMalta	35	14	–	–	–	–	–	1	4
21	Groupama - FDJ	10	37	–	–	–	–	–	–	2
22	Intermarché - Wanty	10	18	–	–	–	–	1	–	1
23	Arkéa - B&B Hotels	5	22	–	–	–	–	–	–	1

 

[Pozzovivo]

And now we are here - Cofidis are provisionally relegated. Only positive is that it may get Vasseur out of the team.

https://lanternerouge.com/2025/06/0...nto-relegation-uci-ranking-analysis-may-2025/

 

[AupaPyama]

During 2010-2019 the team was also PCT, I think it is not a big threat for them as for other teams. Wildcards for all Belgian/France/Spanish events are secure; only Italy can form a risk. And that is, of course, only when they don't qualify for an automatic wildcard.

 

[Pozzovivo]

During 2010-2019 the team was also PCT, I think it is not a big threat for them as for other teams. Wildcards for all Belgian/France/Spanish events are secure; only Italy can form a risk. And that is, of course, only when they don't qualify for an automatic wildcard.

They arguably suit better as a PRT-team than WT as you say. If TotalEnergies are merging with Ineos they may capture the role of ASO-darling. I don't think they will be among the two teams receiving auto-wildcards next year. Uno-X is way too strong and Tudor will probably outscore them for the rest of the season.

 

[AupaPyama]

They have so much underperforming riders. Only Fretin gets them point atm so they gave him a Belgian 1.1 program this June. But if you look at Izagirre (once a certainty for top 10 in one week WT races), Teuns (hilly one day races) and Coquard (never rides top 5 anymore in French stage races) you wonder what is wrong. And of course you have got Laporte and possibly Zingle who in other teams get much better.

 

[Netserk]

Zingle not yet.

 

[Pozzovivo]

They have so much underperforming riders. Only Fretin gets them point atm so they gave him a Belgian 1.1 program this June. But if you look at Izagirre (once a certainty for top 10 in one week WT races), Teuns (hilly one day races) and Coquard (never rides top 5 anymore in French stage races) you wonder what is wrong. And of course you have got Laporte and possibly Zingle who in other teams get much better.

Not only are they underperforming, they are riding the wrong schedule for getting points with their biggest riders. Dylan Teuns is the perfect example of this with his skillset.

 

[aruipksni]

Not only are they underperforming, they are riding the wrong schedule for getting points with their biggest riders. Dylan Teuns is the perfect example of this with his skillset.

Teuns was already bad in IPT.
why should he be good in Cofidis, when he is now even older?

 

[Pozzovivo]

Teuns was already bad in IPT.
why should he be good in Cofidis, when he is now even older?

Motivation is more important than age it seems but last year he was arguably the 2nd or third strongest in RVV, 2nd in BP, and strong also in LBL. If you enter him in the hilly french 1.pro and 1.1 instead of only riding monuments and top WT races he would score big imo. I thought that was why they signed him (for points). He is a quite expensive rider as a former Fleche wallonne winner, 2TDF stage wins, as well as many other good wins and performances.

I really feel they didn't realize what game they needed to play with their best riders. Him and Buchmann at Dauphine is a complete waste of time (Buchmann is always a waste in WT, but could conceivably do something at Tour of Slovenia) while Teuns could do well on the parcour in Tour of Norway.

 

[aruipksni]

Motivation is more important than age it seems but last year he was arguably the 2nd or third strongest in RVV, 2nd in BP, and strong also in LBL. If you enter him in the hilly french 1.pro and 1.1 instead of only riding monuments and top WT races he would score big imo. I thought that was why they signed him (for points). He is a quite expensive rider as a former Fleche wallonne winner, 2TDF stage wins, as well as many other good wins and performances.

I really feel they didn't realize what game they needed to play with their best riders. Him and Buchmann at Dauphine is a complete waste of time (Buchmann is always a waste in WT, but could conceivably do something at Tour of Slovenia) while Teuns could do well on the parcour in Tour of Norway.

the numbers don't lie every man reach is muscles max at 27, so normal distribution is expected for every typical rider (even for pogacar!)
here is Teuns numbers showing where he is now at 33.

 

[Wyndbrook]

New signing Simon Carr has not raced for them yet due to injury.

 

[Pozzovivo]

the numbers don't lie every man reach is muscles max at 27, so normal distribution is expected for every typical rider (even for pogacar!)
here is Teuns numbers showing where he is now at 33.

Sure, in general the trend suggest peak years from 25-30, but there are so many outliers to this tendency. Caruso, Thomas, Bilbao etc was never as good as in their mid-late 30's.

Simon Yates is born the same year as Teuns and he did his career performance (and result) last saturday.

 

[aruipksni]

Sure, in general the trend suggest peak years from 25-30, but there are so many outliers to this tendency. Caruso, Thomas, Bilbao etc was never as good as in their mid-late 30's.

Simon Yates is born the same year as Teuns and he did his career performance (and result) last saturday.

well, it is still the same, but yates is more successful rider then teens:

so as you can see he still got something in his tank.

i think great example for someone who had his greatest success in late age is chris horner, and he is really an enigma.

 

[Pozzovivo]

chris horner, and he is really an enigma.

We can agree on that...

 

[Roku]

Age is catching up with Herrada and Izagirre. 35 and 36 years-old, respectively at the end of the season while having been around for 15 years. Teuns has been underwhelming. Buchmann to a lesser extent as well, though it was to be expected.

Coquard is having a better season than the previous year.

Anyways it's much about team cohesion, budget, material, dynamics and preparation (also about Clinic stuff). Most of these riders at Astana would be flying.

 

[tobydawq]

the numbers don't lie every man reach is muscles max at 27, so normal distribution is expected for every typical rider (even for pogacar!)
here is Teuns numbers showing where he is now at 33.

 

[Pozzovivo]

Age is catching up with Herrada and Izagirre. 35 and 36 years-old, respectively at the end of the season while having been around for 15 years. Teuns has been underwhelming. Buchmann to a lesser extent as well, though it was to be expected.

Coquard is having a better season than the previous year.

Anyways it's much about team cohesion, budget, material, dynamics and preparation (also about Clinic stuff). Most of these riders at Astana would be flying.

Completely agree with bolded section.

Izagirre is inconsistent but still pulls out big perfromances (4th at lombardy last year for instance). Herrada is really fading though like you say.

Coquard is a famous freakin' legend and should get a lifetime contract HE WILL WIN A TOUR STAGE ONE DAY.

 

[Netserk]

Yeah, Rogla is a good counter.

 

[EllisJenkins]

Cofidis is one of the longest-standing teams in professional cycling, with a history stretching back to 1997, it seems fitting that we have a dedicated thread to discuss them!

Let's talk about the current season, rider performances, management decisions, and long-term outlook. This thread is meant to collect all Cofidis-related discussion in one place.

Success at le Tour de France - Moncoutie stage win 2005

Success at le Tour de France - Victor Lafay stage win 2023

Cofidis’ legacy in cycling is inspiring, from Moncoutié’s 2005 win to Lafay’s 2023 triumph. Their strategy and consistency make them a fascinating team to watch.

 

[Pozzovivo]

Jenthe Biermans is probably going to Cofidis next year according to Benson! Good rider for points (but will it be too late?) and top 10 results on the belgian .1 and .pro calender. Good signing imo.

 

[Samamba]

Jenthe Biermans is probably going to Cofidis next year according to Benson! Good rider for points (but will it be too late?) and top 10 results on the belgian .1 and .pro calender. Good signing imo.

Why would it be too late. Cofidis probably the one team that would fit really goot at Pro level. Don't need to ride the Giro, would still have guaranteed WCs for next year probably and if they don't manage to do it the next year the only thing they are safe for French and Walloon races (via ASO), probably most Flemish classics and even the Vuelta possibly cause they sponsor it.

I don't see them staying in the WT (unless Lotto disappears), but compared to all the other teams at the bottom it would be the least problematic for them. They already aren't attractive to a lot of riders anyways.

 

[Pozzovivo]

Why would it be too late. Cofidis probably the one team that would fit really goot at Pro level. Don't need to ride the Giro, would still have guaranteed WCs for next year probably and if they don't manage to do it the next year the only thing they are safe for French and Walloon races (via ASO), probably most Flemish classics and even the Vuelta possibly cause they sponsor it.

I don't see them staying in the WT (unless Lotto disappears), but compared to all the other teams at the bottom it would be the least problematic for them. They already aren't attractive to a lot of riders anyways.

Completely agree with everything you say! Too late to save the WT contract was what I was referring to but that may or may not be a problem, as you point out.

One problem could be that riders (who signed a WT-team contract) are free to renegotiate with other teams if the team is no longer WT. Aranburu could leave for instance despite being "tied down" to 2027. Another problem could be the sponsorship from the bank being conditional on WT-status (could be true but unlikely).

 

[Samamba]

Completely agree with everything you say! Too late to save the WT contract was what I was referring to but that may or may not be a problem, as you point out.

One problem could be that riders (who signed a WT-team contract) are free to renegotiate with other teams if the team is no longer WT. Aranburu could leave for instance despite being "tied down" to 2027. Another problem could be the sponsorship from the bank being conditional on WT-status (could be true but unlikely).

Technically yes, but we've seen with Israel and Lotto before that it isn't that simple cause they have to wait till Licenses are rewarded, which is like December. Cofidis will apply for a WT license, so technically they will only known if they are or aren't in December (and with the way it's going over at Lotto there's actually a chance they still get it).

Cofidis is not going to drop the team (isn't it literally theirs?) because they drop out of WT.