This is how Cofidis aims to jump eight (!) spots in the UCI ranking in 2025 with new leaders

The French team would prefer to forget 2024 as soon as possible. With only five wins, it was the worst year since 2020 (two wins) for Cofidis. In addition, star rider Axel Zingle left for Visma | Lease a Bike and saw Simon Geschke and Gorka Izagirre, among others, retire. But with the arrival of Teuns, Buchmann, and Aranburu, Cofidis hopes to climb the ranks and immediately puts a lot of pressure on the newcomers.

"During the training camp in December, they slowly made their mark and became an integral part of the team. They have made their mark and feel at home; I think that brings a breath of fresh air. These riders now do not hesitate to make their voices heard when making decisions. This is what is expected of them in races, so I believe that this whole preparation phase is now behind us and that there is more than expressing yourself in the background," team boss Cédric Vasseur told Cyclismactu.

Despite Cofidis being positioned low in the UCI rankings, they have the ambitions of a major WorldTour team. "I would like to see this beautiful Cofidis jersey crossing the line first as often as possible. I want a blue-white-red jersey for the boys and to have Dylan Teuns shine in the classics. Why not try to get a podium in a monument? We know Aranburu is a rider who can also play in the front ranks of Milan-Sanremo."

At the Tour Down Under, Vasseur wants to see action. "I expect a lot from the Tour Down Under to see how it will go because that sets the mood. You know, in the first race of the year, we have Bryan Coquard, who is already in good shape; Alexis Renard, who is really at a higher level than last year; Ion Izagirre, and Jesús Herrada, who will also be able to put up some battles in Australia. I think the tone will be set very quickly in Australia, and we will try to maintain the highest possible level throughout the year."

The Tour de France is, of course, the highlight for any French team. Cofidis also hopes to show itself again in La Grande Boucle. "I anticipate a great Tour de France, where we will honor the Cofidis colors and maybe conquer a yellow jersey. We won two stages two years ago; it didn't work last year either. I would like us to be able to go for a stage win and have the chance to have a rider from the Cofidis team wearing the yellow; you can see it on our 2025 jersey; we put a little yellow touch in it."

What about the relegation battle? They are not worried about that at all at Cofidis. "Our goal is to finish tenth or twelfth, so we're not worried about relegation or retention.' The selection of recruits was done so that Cofidis would secure tenth or twelfth place, so our goal will be to get results to get as close as possible to this tenth place. We won't worry about who is 17, 18, 19, 16; that's not really in our philosophy."