The Cofidis staff have finished their 30-rider roster for the 2024 season via including French climber Kenny Elissonde and multi-talented Belgian Ben Hermans.
The French WorldTour staff has misplaced Excursion de France level winner Victor Lafay to AG2R and Simone Consonne to Lidl-Trek however have signed Gorka Izagirre, Stefano Oldani and quite a few neo-pros as 12 riders go away the staff and 12 new signings are available. Davide Cimolai and André Carvalho are a few of the riders let opt for 2024.
Ion Izagirre, Bryan Coquard, Simon Geschke, Axel Zingle and Guillaume Martin stay as staff leaders.
“We’re extremely joyful so that you can rely at the revel in of Kenny Elissonde and Ben Hermans. Those are two riders who’ve already shone within the UCI WorldTour and who’re used to the best possible degree,” staff supervisor Cedric Vasseur defined.
“Kenny will compete at the climbs and within the level races along Guillaume Martin, whilst Ben might be extra flexible and could have a blended programme. He’s going to additionally proportion his revel in of one-day races and might be a robust give a boost to for Axel Zingle. We will’t wait to peer our new crew in motion. Roll on 2024!”
Elissonde is a fan favorite for his competitive racing taste, particularly within the mountains right through breakaways. He received a level within the 2013 Vuelta a España, wore the chief’s jersey in 2021 and has quite a few different placings right through lengthy spells with FDJ and Group Sky sooner than his 4 seasons at Trek.
“I sought after this new problem and to go back to a French staff. I am a climber, I love level races,” Elissonde mentioned on his transfer to Cofidis.
“It has came about to me all through my profession to trip for my leaders but in addition to play my card and take a look at to succeed in the most efficient conceivable outcome. Enjoy lets you have higher wisdom of your self, to have extra serenity and to give a boost to more youthful folks too.”
Hermans received the 2017 Excursion of Oman, and the 2021 Arctic Race of Norway and the hilly De Brabantse Pijl semi-classic, highlighting his vary of abilities.
He’s now 37 and joins Cofidis from Israel-Premier Tech.
“I’m specifically thankful to the Cofidis staff for providing me this new alternative. I’ve demonstrated up to now that I’m a quite entire rider who likes the Classics up to level races,” Hermans mentioned.
“I need to give the entirety for my new teammates, to place myself on the carrier of the leaders and, if vital, to take my obligations and take a look at my good fortune in my flip.
I understand how tough it’s to win, however I am hoping I will achieve the edge of 20 profession wins. No race is straightforward, however I need to struggle, educate and do the entirety to are living as much as the ambitions of my new staff.”