Cofidis para-cycling team: "the best riders in the world"

The para-cycling team’s season :

36 victories
3 UCI Road World Championship titles
3 European Road Championship titles
6 French Championship titles
11 World Cup victories

The results are very positive. Admittedly, there are ‘only’ three titles (Louis Hubert in the pursuit and the omnium, Katell Alençon in the omnium), but the story behind this figure is far more interesting. Two of our riders, Eliott Pierre and Arthur Bauchet, had never even ridden a track bike a week earlier! After just five training sessions, they gave it a go and achieved good results: Eliott finished 3rd in the pursuit and Arthur posted the best performance in his category in the kilometre. Together with the medals won by Louis Hubert and Katell Alençon, it was a very good weekend! 

“A high-performing team that has lived up to expectations”

It’s true that the figures are impressive this year, with our 36 victories and numerous titles. What’s interesting is the depth of the squad. Before, we had three riders out of six who were performing well. Now, five of them are among the world’s best, the elite of para-cycling. It’s a high-performing group that has lived up to expectations. There’s also an incredible sense of unity and a very positive team spirit. And then, having Mathieu Desfontaine on board as coach has meant we’ve had support throughout the year, which is really paying off.

At the same time, Cofidis continues to offer professional contracts to riders...

Yes, there are those on contract with Cofidis and those who are sponsored elsewhere (Arthur Bauchet by the customs service, for example). Being able to pursue your passion whilst enjoying financial security is a real luxury these days. It allows them to relieve stress and enjoy real stability, both on and off the bike. Unfortunately, Cofidis remains the only team with a para-cycling section to offer contracts to its athletes.

Louis is a runner with exceptional physical abilities. The work he has done alongside his coach has paid off. He is a very disciplined person and has now become a force to be reckoned with. Paradoxically, the hardest thing for him will be to come to terms with his status and also to accept it when he doesn’t win.  

“Raphaël Jeune, a positive influence on the whole team”

Yes, he’s a top performer; he’s an exceptional competitor. He can’t take on any activity without giving it his all. Yet this year, even though he’s focused on skiing, we’ve seen that he’s been very dedicated to cycling. He’s increased his training volume and gained more experience. There’s no doubt about it: he’s getting better and better at his craft!

What’s interesting about Raphaël is that he was already familiar with para-cycling, the team and all our riders. For him, the inclusion of the para-sport section within the Cofidis ecosystem is a natural fit, and it’s important that it has the resources it needs to perform well. And that has had a positive impact on the whole team.

The challenge is indeed figuring out how we can do even better next season! We are already preparing for 2027, notably by recruiting in order to be ready once again. The season will be different, with the “Super” World Championships being held in France at the end of the summer, as well as with the 2028 Paralympic Games in mind. I don’t know what impact that will have on the number of results we achieve, but in terms of quality, I have no doubt that it will be just as good, or even better!

Yes, absolutely. I am extremely confident in the team’s ability to perform. We all know that there are always unforeseen factors in cycling. But one thing is certain: our athletes are among the best riders in the world!