Good news for Jan Maas: the ever-reliable Belgian domestique has managed to secure a WorldTour contract for next year in November after all. The relegation-battling team Cofidis is offering him a solution with a one-year contract, which the departing Jayco AlUla rider accepted.
The team of Cédric Vasseur had 28 riders under contract up until Tuesday, but with the addition of Maas and the Frenchman Paul Ourselin, the roster for next year is now complete. "Cofidis is a team with a great history. It comes from one of the biggest cycling countries, and I am happy with the opportunity to ride in these colors," says Maas in the team’s press release.
"My role will be to help my teammates. That way, I can do everything I can to make sure those guys can reach their potential and achieve good results," says Maas, who will help Cofidis out as a great domestique. "I love the tough races, whether they're classics or stage races. Of course, I dream of riding in the Tour with Cofidis," he reveals.
"In this team, I know Dylan Teuns a little. I’ve already spoken with him, as well as with Ludovic Robeet," the hard worker continues. "At the moment, I’m also working on my French every day, wanting to improve it to ease my integration into the team," Maas concludes his part of the transfer story.
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Team boss Cédric Vasseur is thrilled with the arrival of Maas, who rode for Jayco AlUla for three years. "We are happy with the addition of Jan and also Paul. They are two riders who are used to the high level and can meet the team’s needs in both one-day races and stage races. Both are allowed to start their season in Australia, with the Tour Down Under."
Vasseur knows what he’s getting with Maas. "His experience and work will be appreciated by the team leaders. Our lineup, which will consist of thirty riders from eight different nationalities, is now complete." Cofidis is currently ranked eighteenth on the WorldTour rankings and must maintain this position to avoid relegation after 2025.