Published on : 10/29/2026
It all began in late 1996, in northern France. A credit company, which had nothing to do with the world of cycling, decided to embark on the great adventure of sponsorship. François Migraine, the founder, was convinced: cycling was made for Cofidis! It is a sport that is close to people’s hearts, free and accessible to all, with races passing by houses and blocks of flats, along the roads of our childhood. It showcases the richness of nature and allows us to discover different cultures through landscapes from all over the world. The values of team spirit, fighting spirit and pushing oneself to the limit also resonate at the heart of the company.
Right from its first official race in 1997, the team had just one ambition: to make its mark and go for victory. This was achieved as early as 2 February in Spain, thanks to Maurizio Fondriest. This maiden victory was followed, notably, by the team’s first stage win in its debut Tour de France, secured by Laurent Desbiens.
Many more were to follow, bringing the total to 422 by the end of the 2026 season. With 12 stage wins at the Tour (including one on 14 July), four at the Giro d’Italia, 18 at the Vuelta, a victory at Liège–Bastogne–Liège and another at Gent–Wevelgem, amongst others, the team is now recognised by spectators along the route and in the media, as is the sponsor, for its loyalty and unwavering commitment over the past 30 years. This loyalty is also embodied by the riders, some of whom have spent their entire professional careers – or almost all of them – with the team: David Moncoutié, of course, for 16 years; Nicolas Edet for over 11 years; and Luis Angel Mate and Anthony Perez for 10 years. Some have also continued their involvement even after retiring from racing: Cédric Vasseur served as our general manager for 8 years, Bingen Fernandez also holds the role of sports director, and Stéphane Augé held that position for several seasons as well.
A team is, first and foremost, a family
Behind these 260 riders who have worn our jersey lies an entire team working tirelessly behind the scenes to contribute to their success and raise their profile: the sports directors, , the medical team, the mechanics, physiotherapists and assistants, nutritionists, cooks, administrative staff and the entire race support team, coach drivers, press officers, community managers, and everyone else. Cofidis is, above all, a family. We put people first, and that is what has been the team’s strength for 30 years.
Such longevity is no mean feat; the team has experienced highs and lows, with each moment more intense than the last. There have been difficult seasons, but thanks to the support of fans lining the roads and on social media, the riders have always bounced back.
It was also in this spirit that, in 2009, Cofidis decided to get involved in para-cycling. For the first time, para-cycling athletes wore the same jersey, with the same coaching staff and the same high standards as the men’s team. Since then, they have continued to fly our colours high, at the French, European and World Championships, right through to the Paralympic Games. Once again this year, they brought home seven medals from the European Championships. But beyond the podium finishes, it is their life stories that inspire us: athletes who never give up and who remind us every day that passion knows no bounds.
In 2022, the family grew even further with the launch of our women’s team. For Cofidis, it goes without saying: cycling belongs to everyone, and women should be able to pursue their passion at the very highest level. In just a few seasons, our female riders have carved out a place for themselves in the peloton through hard work and determination. They win, they inspire, and they show all the little girls watching them ride past by the roadside that they, too, can live that dream.
A story to be passed down through the generations
There is so much to say about these 30 years, but who better than the riders themselves to talk about it? That is the aim of the web series we are launching next week on our social media channels. David Moncoutié, Anthony Perez, Bingen Fernandez, Julien Simon, Nicolas Edet and Samuel Dumoulin: they’ve all agreed to speak openly about their experiences at Cofidis, sharing some wonderful anecdotes and opening up their treasure troves of memories with us.
Our upcoming events:
5 November: David Moncoutie
19 November: Bingen Fernandez
3 December: Anthony Perez
17 December: Julien Simon
31 December: Nicolas Edet
14 January: Samuel Dumoulin
