Published on : 08/17/2026
From next Saturday, it will already be time for the third and final Grand Tour of the season, the Vuelta. The Tour of Spain, which will start in Monaco and take in the whole of the west and south of the country as far as Granada, will offer plenty of opportunities for the Cofidis riders. The team is determined to shine in the sprints (with Bryan Coquard and Alexis Renard) and take their chances when the road climbs (with Louis Rouland, Sylvain Moniquet and Emmanuel Buchmann).
And we’re already off for the third Grand Tour of the season. Memories of the Tour de France are still fresh, summer is still in full swing, and here we are, cycling fans once again immersed in a three-week saga. Make way for the Vuelta, with the need to adapt to the heat, more open stages and the certainty, for the Cofidis riders, that one day they’ll be able to try their luck and dream big.
Cofidis at the Vuelta: a rich and fascinating history
For the northern French team, the Vuelta has always held a special place. Over the years, the team has forged a strong relationship with Spanish cycling. This relationship is reflected in the presence of renowned riders from across the Pyrenees, in Cofidis Spain’s involvement in promoting Spanish cycling, and also in the team’s ability to shine at the Vuelta. In the team’s recent history, there have been Jesús Herrada’s three stage wins (2019, 2022, 2023), Guillaume Martin’s King of the Mountains jersey (2020) and the red leader’s jersey worn by Nicolas Edet (2019). Earlier in the team’s history, there were Franck Vandenbroucke’s two victories (in 1999) and the successes of David Moncontier, four-time King of the Mountains (from 2008 to 2011) and four-time stage winner (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011).
A daring team set to shine on all terrains
This year, the team will be relying on an experienced squad. They will be particularly in the spotlight during the stages suited to sprints: this year’s race features four flat stages and four hilly stages. Bryan Coquard and Alexis Renard will be looking to make their mark, having demonstrated their excellent form this year. Bryan has claimed two victories (GP La Marseillaise, Visit South Aegean GP) and Alexis has racked up numerous top-10 finishes.
In their quest for victory, they will be able to count on the support of Alex Kirsch, Sergio Samitier and Paul Ourselin. For their part, Sylvain Moniquet, Emmanuel Buchmann and Louis Rouland will make their move when the road climbs, aiming to be bold and go for stage wins. In total, the peloton will cover 3,275 km between Monaco and Granada over the course of these 21 stages.
Quotes
Gorka Gerrikagoitia, Sports Director:
“Our main objective will be to win a stage. We will be able to count on Bryan Coquard, who has once again shown his talent this year and is arriving in great form. He will be able to try his luck both in the sprint stages and in those suited to puncheurs, which can also finish in a sprint. Bryan will be able to count on the whole team, particularly Alexis Renard, Alex Kirsch and Paul Ourselin, to make sure he is well positioned in the finale. As for the other stages, we know that with Tadej Pogacar taking part, it will be very difficult to compete in the high-mountain stages. However, we will assess the opportunities day by day for Emmanuel Buchmann, Sylvain Moniquet and Louis Roulland, who will look to get into breakaways and take their chances. And we are going to give it everything we have over all 21 stages!”