2024 Season Review | Cofidis: Grand Tour struggles, and a big year ahead to secure World Tour status

The 2024 season proved to be a significant challenge for Cofidis, a team steeped in cycling tradition since its establishment in 1996 by Cyrille Guimard. Their campaign this year highlighted deep routed issues within the squad, raising concerns about their future in the World Tour. Having dropped five places from their 2023 position, the team closed the season ranked 20th with 7889.8 UCI points, only managing to avoid last place in the World Tour standings due to Astana Qazaqstan Team's performance.

Cofidis’ results this year were a stark reminder of their fluctuating fortunes since their reintroduction to World Tour status in 2020. Though they carry a history of notable performances and high expectations, they have also faced periods marred by doping scandals that cast long shadows over their successes. Under the management of Cédric Vasseur, a former professional cyclist with two Tour de France stage wins to his name, the team has been seeking to reinvent itself and had made some positive progress in 2023. This year, however, the team fell short on many fronts.

The team achieved just five race victories throughout the entire season, an outcome that will undoubtedly push them into a period of introspection as they prepare for 2025. This underwhelming tally signals a need for stronger results, particularly in the classics and grand tours where points and prestige are paramount.

The spring classics yielded just one significant victory for Cofidis, courtesy of Axel Zingle. Known for his consistent performances and podium finishes in smaller one-day races, Zingle finally secured a win at the Boucles de l'Aulne after a string of near-misses. The hilly course around Châteaulin, a French classic known for its relentless climbs, witnessed a tight contest that ended with Zingle out-sprinting competitors like Alexandre Delettre and Mads Wurtz Schmidt.

Zingle's win was a bright spot in an otherwise lacklustre classics campaign. Despite this success, the team failed to make their presence felt in the bigger one-day races. The autumn season brought a slight resurgence when Ion Izagirre placed fourth at Il Lombardia, adding 120 valuable UCI points, the second-largest contribution to the team’s score. However, isolated results like these only underscore the larger problem: Cofidis needs more depth and reliable performances throughout the year, not just in sporadic moments.

Grand tours are essential for team rankings, sponsorships, and visibility in the cycling world. For Cofidis, the 2024 grand tours highlighted their struggle to compete at the highest level. Their first win of the season came only during stage 5 of the Giro d'Italia, when Benjamin Thomas heroically emerged victorious from a breakaway in a thrilling finale. “This felt like an endless team pursuit,” Thomas reflected, describing the cooperative yet desperate push that held the peloton at bay in the final kilometres. The victory was a testament to Thomas’ form on the day, and it was a brief but vital moment of triumph for the team.

Simon Geschke's 14th-place finish in the Giro GC added 110 points to the team's overall tally, a decent contribution but not enough to elevate their standing significantly. The Tour de France, the pinnacle of the cycling season and an event where Cofidis historically has ambitions to shine, turned into a disappointment. Guillaume Martin's 13th-place finish in the general classification, securing 170 points, was their most substantial result. Yet, the lack of stage wins and minimal close calls left the French team without much to celebrate in their most important race.

The Vuelta a España presented similar challenges, with Martin once again being the team's standout rider by finishing 15th in the GC and contributing 100 points. However, a reliance on GC finishes outside the top 10 as their highest achievements reflects deeper issues. Strong results in grand tours are critical not just for the points but for the prestige and financial incentives that come with visibility on the sport’s grandest stages. Without consistent podiums or stage wins, teams struggle to attract sponsors, top riders, and maintain morale.

If a team’s top results in a season were finishing outside the top 10 in all 3 grand tours, they have some problems on their hands. Cofidis cannot afford a repeat of this year.

A strong showing in grand tours impacts more than just a team’s ranking. It draws sponsor interest, ensures better media exposure, and helps secure the future of the team by enhancing its reputation. In the competitive world of professional cycling, grand tours can make or break a team's season. For Cofidis, a failure to excel in the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España creates a pressing need for change.

2025 is set to be a crucial year for Cofidis as they fight to avoid relegation from the World Tour. The team has experienced notable departures, with Axel Zingle moving to Visma | Lease a Bike. Zingle’s ability to consistently secure podium finishes, especially in 1.Pro and 1.1 races, has made him a valuable rider. His exit follows a pattern seen with Christophe Laporte’s move three years prior, leaving Cofidis without a reliable performer in certain race profiles.

On a more positive note, the team’s increased budget has allowed them to invest in new talent. The arrivals of Emanuel Buchmann, Dylan Teuns, and Alex Aranburu signal a shift towards rebuilding. Aranburu, the Spanish national champion, brings both experience and a potent sprinting capability, complementing the hilly one-day races of the French and Spanish calendars. “Alex already has a solid track record and is entering his prime years,” said Vasseur, expressing confidence in Aranburu’s potential impact.

Teuns, joining on a two-year deal, is a seasoned classics contender and a potential grand tour stage winner. His ambitions align with the team’s need for stronger performances in prestigious races. “Vandenbroucke is the last person to have won a monument with Cofidis, and I want to do everything so that we can aim for a podium in this type of race,” Teuns remarked, underscoring the drive to bring back the team's glory days. The duo of Teuns and Aranburu, supported by Buchmann’s climbing prowess, offers hope that Cofidis can improve their standing and avoid relegation.

Cofidis’ 2024 season, marred by minimal wins and a dependency on lower GC placements, paints a worrying picture. Their ranking and the upcoming threat of relegation place immense pressure on Vasseur and his squad to deliver in 2025. The team’s signings show an intent to revitalize their roster, but execution will be key. The upcoming season will determine whether these changes translate into results or if Cofidis will face an even steeper climb to retain their World Tour status.

Despite pockets of success, 2024 was a season where Cofidis underperformed across key races. With a revamped squad and heightened stakes, 2025 holds the potential for a turnaround or further descent. The pressure is on.