When this French team was confronted with a drugscandal in 2004, the results showed deep scars. Many riders were made to leave the team, some replacements were found. This year the team is on the rebound. A host of new riders were signed, but unfortunately a few good cyclists left as well.


But Cofidis looks to the future now, since many new additions are yougsters with potential. Amongst these new riders, to name a few, are Sutton (neo-pro) and Lequatre who’s an established sprinter already. Young Tyler Farrar is an American rider who, according to some, might be the next Lance Armstrong. That’s quite a huge reputation to live up to, but it’s clear he’s got talent.


Bouygues Telecom is almost totally French, this team doesn’t even come close. We actually wonder what language will be the common tongue in this team, since there are so many nationalities present here. But it does have advantages. Guys like Ivan Parra (two stage wins Giro 2005) and Moncoutie (2 wins, one in the TDF) are riders who don’t need to speak when they are on form. They just cross the finishline on their own and win, leaving the rest behind. Furthermore they’ve got riders from France, Holland, Belgium, UK, USA, Italy and Spain.
This team also has some cyclists who are “made” to ride Tour prologues. The Belgian Verbrugghe and Brit Wiggins excel at the shorter distances. Verbrugghe can even manage the hills, which comes in pretty handy at times.


A major name in cycling, Ozzie Stu O’Grady, has left to join the Danish team of CSC. It seems no real replacement has been contracted to fill that void. In the smaller tours Jimmy Casper might do well. Once he was named the “talent in cycling”, but didn’t really have the breakthrough in the professional ranks many expected. Chavanel is a good second bet in this team but does pick his races, so hard to predict when he’ll do well.


Finally, allrounders like new signing Moreni and Bertagnolli (stayed with Cofidis) could well be the men to watch out for in, respectively, Giro and Vuelta. Let’s see what this final “make-over” year will bring to Cofidis.


Additions to the team:
Elijzen, Farrar, Heijboer, Duque, Lequatre, Minard, Monfort, Moreni, Parra, Sanchez, Valentin, Verbrugghe, Wiggins, Sutton


Left the team :
Edaleine, Engoulvent, Fofonov, O’Grady, Tombak, Trentin, Vasseur, White, Farazijn, Atienza, Koerts