Bryan Coquard set to leave Vuelta a Espana to pursue UCI points elsewhere - "I didn't expect the year to go like this"

The Vuelta a Espana is a race where many are looking for UCI points to save their season, however simultaneously there will be at least one rider to leave the race early in search of the same goal elsewhere. Bryan Coquard is set to abandon the race after stage 13 this afternoon.

"Friday, Coquard will go home to participate in other competitions," Cofidis' Davide Cimolai told Bici.Pro. "We have to score points, but I think it's ridiculous. It causes a lot of stress all year round. The paradox of the situation is that much more points can be earned in small races.” Cofidis have been having a decent season and currently stand in 14th place in the UCI rankings, however the French team needs to stay on their toes as they are only around 800 points ahead of Lotto Soudal who is on the first relegation spot, and with about month and a half of racing to go with plenty races, there is still room for improvement for many.

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“Last year, for example, with a third place in a stage in the Tirreno and two second places in stages in the Giro d'Italia, I took around 100 points, while other riders took 125 points by winning one small race," Coquard said, sharing the discontent that many others in the peloton have over the system. “I'm not happy about it, but I understand the team. The goal is to stay in the WorldTour, and even if we stay calm it will be a challenge. I didn't expect the year to go like this, but I'm keeping my mouth shut and doing my job". 

Cimolai came to the Vuelta as a wildcard for the sprints, but has been instead helping out Bryan Coquard. Neither have had, until today, a strong result to show for. The Italian will have the freedom throughout the final week however where he's expecting to get a strong result. “It is my only personal goal this Vuelta. However, it will mainly provide personal satisfaction, because many points are not to be achieved," he concluded.

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Demain. Ce week-end. La semaine prochaine. On aura d'autres occasions pour s'illustrer à nouveau 👊 #LaVuelta22 📸 @GettySport

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