Published on : 10/19/2020
On Spanish roads, where the Cofidis team has become accustomed to shine in recent years, the northern team is returning with ambition. With Guillaume Martin, the best French rider in the last Tour de France, the team will do everything to win stage victories.
This season, like no other, has placed the Vuelta in the heart of autumn, in the north of the country. On Tuesday in Irun, the riders will set off for 18 stages and a total of 2,882.8 km across Spain. For Cofidis, this grand Tour is a very special event. The company is one of its major sponsors, with a strong presence in the country.
The riders of the team are used to achieving great results. Everyone still remembers the victory of Jesus Herrada who won alone in Ares del Maestrat last year. And Nicolas Edet took the red jersey of the leader on a rainy afternoon on the Catalan roads.
Guillaume Martin, a taste of discovery
One season later, Cofidis presents itself at the Tour of Spain with a new leader: Guillaume Martin (27 years old). Guillaume is taking part in his 1st Vuelta, changed his status this season by finishing 3rd in the Criterium du Dauphiné and then 1st Frenchman in the Tour de France. He can count on his team of determined youngsters and experienced riders.
His faithful road captain, Pierre-Luc Périchon (33 years old) will support him, as will two young Frenchmen: Victor Lafay (24 years old) and Emmanuel Morin (25 years old) who will be competing in their first Grand Tour. They will be joined by another very promising young rider - Fernando Barcelo (24), who proved himself last year by finishing third in a stage of the Vuelta in Bilbao.
Two experienced riders will bring their knowledge of the terrain and the race: José Herrada (35 years old) and Luis Angel Maté (36 years old) who is competing in his 9th Vuelta. Eritrean champion Natnael Berhane (29 years old), who is at ease in long breakaways, completes the line-up.
With the Tourmalet in focus
The first week is going to be particularly demanding. The road will start the climb from the 1st stage with notably the Col d'Arrate (1st category) where the finish is planned. The other two 1st category climbs will be on the program in the next two stages.
Next, a stage dedicated to sprinters and another even more hilly one will precede the 1st major test of this Vuelta: Sunday's stage with the col de Portalet, the Aubisque and the Tourmalet! Definitely a very generous program where the Cofidis riders will be keen to make their colors shine.
THEY SAID..
Guillaume MARTIN :
""It's a race that I approach without pressure, taking it step by step. The main idea is to aim for a stage victory and then we'll see how the race goes. In the first two weeks, there are a lot of mountain stages that end at the summit, so they can suit me. And I know that we shall be ready for the 1st stage!
I am aware that from now on, I have to run as a leader and that I will be watched. But I think that I still have the means to play for victory. Right from the start, there can be surprises, failures and big gaps. You have to be in it right away!"
Christian GUIBERTEAU, sports director: "
Our n°1 objective is to win a stage victory. We were lucky enough to achieve this in the last two editions of the Vuelta so we would definitely try again to achieve the same result! We have built the team around Guillaume (Martin).
The other riders will also have carte blanche to participate in the breakaways. This tour is much more flexible than the Tour de France. Fernando, Jesus, Luis, Victor and Emmanuel as well as Natnael will have a lot more opportunities to try their luck during these 18 stages".