Published on : 06/24/2026
After three weeks at altitude training camp in Sierra Nevada, Alex Aranburu returned to racing — and to winning ways. On Friday, the Basque rider produced a brilliant performance to take victory on the uphill finish in Durbuy at the Baloise Belgium Tour. More importantly, he showed that both he and Team Cofidis will be riders to watch on the hilly stages of the Tour de France. The Grande Boucle will offer plenty of opportunities for our team, as will this weekend’s national championships.
National Championships: Spain in the sights
With Alex Aranburu, Ion Izagirre and Sergio Samitier in the line-up, Team Cofidis heads to the Spanish National Championships aiming to make its mark. But Spain will not be the only place where our riders will be looking to shine this weekend.
The Spanish National Championships will take place this year in Navarre, the home region of Sergio Samitier. An invaluable domestique and road captain, Sergio knows these roads inside out — a clear advantage for Team Cofidis as it lines up with ambitious leaders such as Ion Izagirre and Alex Aranburu.
“It’s a demanding course, featuring two laps and a three-kilometre climb,” explains Gorka Gerrikagoitia. Teams with greater depth, such as Movistar, Caja Rural and Euskaltel, will be in a position to control the race. “We’ll need to stay alert and make sure we don’t allow a large breakaway to get too much freedom.”
A sprint battle in Belgium, a demanding test in France
In Belgium, the national title is likely to be decided in a sprint. Milan Fretin will naturally be Cofidis’ main contender. The Belgian sprinter will be supported by Piet Allegaert, Jienthe Biermans and Dylan Teuns. Outsmarting the powerful Soudal Quick-Step squad built around Tim Merlier, as well as Jasper Philipsen’s Alpecin–Deceuninck team, will be no easy task.
In France, the course in La Tour-du-Pin promises to be particularly demanding. Riders will face two climbs — Saint-Roch (1.7 km at 4.5%) and Béjuy (1 km at 8.4%) — no fewer than 14 times. While Cofidis may not start as one of the favourites, the team will be aiming to animate the race and seize every opportunity. The women’s race will take place on the same circuit the day before, with six laps on the schedule.
Back from injury, Victoire Berteau, who claimed the French national title in 2023, dreams of wearing the tricolour jersey once again. Ema Comte, who has enjoyed an excellent run of form in recent weeks — finishing as Best Young Rider at both the Bretagne Ladies Tour and the CIC-Tour Féminin des Pyrénées — could also have a major role to play.
Already a national champion, Kristyna Burlova will be looking to defend her title in the Czech Republic. In Italy, Martina Alzini, supported by Nadia Quagliotto, will also be aiming for a strong result.
Operating in twelve countries!
Men’s
Spanish Championship : A. Aranburu, I. Izagirre, S. Samitier
Belgian Championship : P. Allegaert, J. Biermans, M. Fretin, D. Teuns
French Championships : B. Coquard, B. Thomas, V. Ferron, Y. Jolland, L. Rouland, C. Charret, P. Ourselin
Luxembourg Championships : A. Kirsch
Italian Championship : E. Zamperini
Irish Championship : J. Meehan
Dutch Championship : J. Maas
Women’s
Italian Championship : M. Alzini, N. Quagliotto
French Championship : J. Bego, V. Berteau, M. Borras, E. Comte, V. Fortin, V. Guilman
Czech Republic Championship : K. Burlova, N. Noskova
Danish Championship : A. Dideriksen
Dutch Championship : M. Geurts,
Slovenian Championship : S. Kern
German Championship : H. Ludwig
Polish Championship : M. Mul