Published on : 03/21/2026
?? Once again, Milan–Sanremo dazzled with its storyline, its twists and turns, and its breathtaking finale. The Cofidis riders took part with determination and focus: Alex Aranburu and Bryan Coquard finished in the lead group, in 12th and 22nd place respectively. A remarkable performance, as this Classic will go down as one of the most epic in history.
At Milan–Sanremo, you always have to wait—wait a long time—before the pace lifts and everything becomes surreal. This Primavera lived up to its legend, opening the Classics season in masterful fashion. In this battle, which perfectly embodies the very best of world cycling, the Cofidis riders never stopped fighting. They were there throughout the long procession towards the Mediterranean, supported by the tireless work of Paul Hourcelin, Clément Izquierdo, Valentin Ferron and an outstanding Edoardo Zamperini, solid from start to finish.
Aranburu and Coquard never gave up
When the pace intensified, it was time for the two leaders to step up—and they did. Alex Aranburu and Bryan Coquard responded to the accelerations of the race’s heavy hitters. They stayed in the chasing group even as the pace became relentless. That meant two Cofidis riders were part of the group closing in strongly on the leading duo in the final kilometre. Admittedly, they may have lacked a bit of energy to move up through the bunch and fight for a top placing, having legitimately aimed for a top 10 finish.
At the line, Alex Aranburu took 12th place and Bryan Coquard 22nd, allowing Cofidis to finish as the top French team in this Milan–Sanremo. There will be more battles ahead, more fights for self-improvement, and more chances to shine. And as they showed today, Cofidis riders will once again be a force to reckon with.
The reaction
Alex Aranburu:
“At the start, I wasn’t feeling very good, I had a stomach ache. But after halfway through the race, I found my legs again and that helped me regain confidence, especially on the Poggio. In the final, the sprint was difficult and I couldn’t find an opening. It’s true we could have fought for 3rd or 4th place at the finish, but that’s sprinting. I really like this race, it’s a great Classic and I always approach it very seriously. And I know we can do better next time.”