Published on : 08/06/2024
The talented 25-year-old Franco-British rider, who has spent the last four seasons with EF Education, is one of those riders who never stops improving. Conscientious and ambitious, he will do everything in his power to reach a new level and win prestigious victories in his new colours. Simon has signed up for the next three seasons with Cofidis.
It's an accent all his own. Listening to Simon Carr, you're guaranteed to hear English intonations and a little accent from the South of France. These are traces of his family history. Before he was born, his parents left Hereford and moved to Occitanie, in the Pyrénées-Orientales, to live a more peaceful life. Simon grew up there and discovered cycling in his early years. "It was the best place to cycle, with the Aude, Ariège and Carcassonne close by. It had everything: mountains, flat terrain and good weather all year round".
Performing well in the mountains and in time trials
This was enough to kick-start his progression in local clubs before joining AVC Aix-en-Provence. He then spent a season with Delko, where he met Benjamin Giraud and Gorka Gerrikagoitia, current team managers at Cofidis, before spending the last four years with EF Education.
Gradually, the peloton discovered a rider who was particularly at ease in the mountains. A climber, he knows how to sneak into breakaways to try his luck. Simon also performs well in time trials, which could enable him to aim for the general classification in stage races. The Franco-British rider has won twice this year, in Spain (Trofeo Calvia) and Italy (Tour of the Alps, stage 4).
Since the start of his career, Simon has contested three Classics and four Grand Tours (three Giro and one Vuelta). He'll be doing all he can to keep building on his success and to give himself the opportunity to take part in the Tour de France. "Living near Carcassonne, I've seen it pass by my house almost every year. I dream of taking part and winning a stage! He talks about it as "an ultimate dream" and will be doing everything he can to make it come true wearing the Cofidis jersey.te year in Spain (Trofeo Calvia) and Italy (Tour of the Alps, stage 4).
THEY SAID
Simon Carr: "The project that Cofidis presented to me really appealed to me. I feel that the team's mentality, with its constant desire to perform, is very similar to my own. What's more, my objectives were in line with those of the team. I've already won several races as a professional but never in the UCI World Tour. Having grown up near Carcassonne, I obviously dream of taking part in the Tour de France and aiming for a stage win - that would be the ultimate goal! I feel comfortable in mountain races and in breakaways. I also like time trials, which could enable me to finish high up in the overall rankings.
Cédric Vasseur, general manager: "Another great recruit for the Cofidis team! Simon Carr is a solid rider, capable of winning on any terrain. He's already shown great promise and we want to support him in his dream of shining on the roads of the Tour de France. Simon is joining a 2025 team with a new look and a new way of racing. He will be able to fully express his talent, his audacity and his aggressive way of approaching each race to make the Cofidis colours shine. He's also a rider who was trained in France by Jean-Michel Bourgoin of AVC Aix en Provence, with whom we have a good relationship. Finally, thanks to his time trial skills, Simon will also be aiming for the general classification in one-week stage races. The whole team can't wait to see him in his new colours!