Next Saturday, the third and final Grand Tour of the season kicks off: the Vuelta. The race will start from Monaco and the route offers many opportunities for Cofidis riders. The team intends to shine in the sprints (with Bryan Coquard and Alexis Renard) and attempt a major upset when the road climbs (with Louis Rouland, Sylvain Moniquet and Emmanuel Buchmann).

The Cofidis team at the Vuelta
Bryan Coquard (34 years old), 🇫🇷 13th Grand Tour, 5th Vuelta
Alex Kirsch (34 years old), 🇱🇺 8th Grand Tour, 4th Vuelta
Alexis Renard (27 years old), 🇫🇷 5th Grand Tour, 2nd Vuelta
Emmanuel Buchmann (33 years old), 🇩🇪 15th Grand Tour, 5th Vuelta
Sylvain Moniquet (28 years old), 🇧🇪 5th Grand Tour, 4th Vuelta
Louis Rouland (23 years old), 🇫🇷 2nd Grand Tour, 2nd Vuelta
Sergio Samitier (30 years old), 🇪🇸 6th Grand Tour, 3rd Vuelta
Paul Ourselin (32 years old), 🇫🇷 5th Grand Tour, 4th Vuelta

For the northern team, the Vuelta has always held a special place

Over the years, the team has established a strong bond with Spanish cycling, and this relationship is reflected in the presence of renowned cyclists from the other side of the Pyrenees, in the involvement of Cofidis Spain in the influence of Spanish cycling, but also in the ability to shine at the Vuelta.

In the team's recent history, there have been three stage wins by Jesús Herrada (2019, 2022, 2023), the King of the Mountains jersey for Guillaume Martin (2020) and the red leader's jersey for Nicolas Edet (2019). Previously, there were two wins by Franck Vandenbroucke (in 1999) and the successes of David Moncontier, four times best climber (from 2008 to 2011) and four times stage winner (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011).

A bold team that shines on every terrain

This year, Cofidis will rely on an experienced team, particularly for stages suited to sprinters: this edition features four flat stages and four hilly stages. Bryan Coquard and Alexis Renard will try their luck, having shown good form this year. Bryan won twice (GP La Marseillaise, Visit GP South Aegean) and Alexis achieved several top 10 finishes.

In their quest for victory, they can count on the support of Alex Kirsch and Paul Ourselin. For their part, Sylvain Moniquet, Emmanuel Buchmann, Louis Rouland and Sergio Samitier will play their card when the road climbs, seeking to be bold and aim for stage wins. In total, the group will cover 3,275 km between Monaco and Granada over these 21 stages.

Gorka Gerrikagoitia, sports director: «Our main objective will be to win a stage. We can count on Bryan Coquard, who has once again demonstrated his talent this year and arrives in great form. He will be able to try both in the sprinter phases and in those reserved for attackers, which can also end with a sprint. Bryan will be able to count on the entire team, including Alexis Renard, Alex Kirsch and Paul Ourselin, to be well positioned in the final. For the other stages, we know that with the presence of Tadej Pogacar it will be very difficult to compete in the high mountain stages. On the other hand, we will see daily opportunities for Emmanuel Buchmann, Sylvain Moniquet and Louis Rouland, who will seek to join breakaways and look for opportunities. And we will give our all for 21 days!»