Published on : 11/06/2025
As a rider, the Lithuanian was known as a model teammate and a competitor who never gave up, even on the cobblestones of Paris-Roubaix. Now a sports director, he enjoys passing on his passion for hard work and pushing one’s limits. Starting next year, he will help instill this mindset among the Cofidis riders.
It’s one of those stories that will delight cycling enthusiasts a reminder of both the demands and the beauty of this unique sport. The scene is set in one of the most legendary races, the oldest of the Classics: Paris-Roubaix. And it unfolds in two acts.
In 2019, more than an hour after Peter Sagan’s victory, one last rider appeared before the velodrome. It was Evaldas Šiškevičius exhausted from the effort but determined to finish no matter what. He was outside the time limit, but a member of the organization opened the gate for him. The photo of that moment spread through the press and across social media.
A year later, same race, same battle. This time, Šiškevičius was in the breakaway group alongside Peter Sagan and Philippe Gilbert. The Lithuanian even launched an attack 20 km from the finish before securing a top-10 result (9th). He thus became one of the memorable faces in the rich history of the Hell of the North. A professional rider from 2008 to 2022, Evaldas made his mark as a powerful rouleur and sprinter.
The taste for “self-sacrifice in every race”
At the end of his career, he became a sports director in order to share his passion. He learned the ropes with AVC Aix-en-Provence, a team renowned for developing young talent. The ties between the club and Team Cofidis are particularly strong Christophe Laporte, Anthony Pérez, and more recently Oliver Knight, Clément Izquierdo, and Jamie Meehan all came through its ranks.
Within the Cofidis setup, Evaldas Šiškevičius is eager to pass on his passion for “self-sacrifice in every race.” Working hard, fighting, and pushing one’s limits are values that lie close to his heart. Evaldas’ words perfectly reflect Cofidis’ ambitions for next season: a determination to fight relentlessly and to give everything for the jersey in every circumstance.
THEY SAID
Evaldas Šiškevičius: “I’m very happy to be joining Cofidis. It’s a historic team, with a rich past that inspires so many cycling fans. For me, it’s a real privilege to become part of it as a sports director. I want to warmly thank AVC Aix, where I learned so much. What’s fascinating about this job is finding the right strategies to help riders perform at their very best. When I was a rider, I always wanted to fight, give everything, and show self-sacrifice in every race. That’s the mindset I’d like to pass on. I’m also coming in with humility I know I still have a lot to learn, and that we can all bring something to one another.”
Raphaël Jeune, General Manager:
"I am truly very happy to be able to count on Evaldas as the sporting director within the Cofidis team. He is someone I have known for a very long time. When he sets a goal, I know he does everything possible to achieve it, and I have no doubt about his ability to convey the same message and mindset to the riders. He has a favorite race, Paris-Roubaix, which also aligns perfectly with the Cofidis DNA. It is therefore with great pleasure that we will be able to rely on his talent, expertise, and experience to continue raising the level of the young riders on the team and aim for significant victories."