Thomas Voeckler signs with Cofidis
It’s D-Day for Team Bbox. The deadline for a UCI license application is Friday. If the French team have no new sponsor by 6PM, then it will be too late. In preparation for the possibility that the team will stop at the end of the season, their star rider
Thomas Voeckler has signed a provisional deal for a two-year contract with Team Cofidis.
“I’ve decided to sign with Cofidis for two years,” said Voeckler to Ouest France. “I was also in contact with Saur-Sojasun, and I’ve explained my choice to Stéphane Heulot. I mulled over it a lot, but Cofidis has the chance to be in the ProTour
and to offer me a better calendar.”
Voeckler turned professional in 2001 and has ridden with Jean-René Bernaudeau’s team for his entire career. The manager has been searching for a new sponsor for months, and the uncertainty of the future of the team caused a mass purge of most of their top
riders. It was reported on Thursday that Bernaudeau had entered in last-minute talks with an unnamed sponsor in Paris, but on Friday morning he was not optimistic.
"I have no regrets and I can't do anything more now," said Bernaudeau. "I’ve given all that I could, I’ve fought with all my strength.”
Pierrick Fédrigo was the first to leave, signing a deal with FDJ. When Nicholas Vogondy left for Cofidis, only Voeckler remained of the team’s race-winners. Luckily, a number of teams have been on the French national champion’s case based on performance
this season, his best season yet. He took his second Tour de France stage win in stage 15 and recently won the inaugural edition of the ProTour Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec.
“I woke up at 4 this morning. I slept very little last night and I thought things over a lot, but I’ve taken my decision,” said Voeckler. “I’m still hoping for a miracle and that my team can continue. Regardless of whether that is the case, it’s correct
that I should inform the managers who had made offers to me.”
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