"I think we can take this desire as a message and that he kind of wants to ride for himself" - Thomas Voeckler notices Wout Van Aert's GC ambitions

Successful coach of the French team since June 2019, Thomas Voeckler will experience an important and special year 2024 on a sporting level, with European Championships, World Championships and Olympic Games coming in a quick succession. The Frenchmen talked to Cyclism'Actu about popular topics within the cycling world.

Two team seem to be cut above the rest, is there anything that can be done about it? "These two teams have the best riders and they make them better, so I understand it's difficult for the others. It won't be easy and it's not going to happen in two weeks, but we must not give up. I understand that we can say to ourselves that it's ruined in advance, but there is always a way to shine."

Can Wout Van Aert ride for GC at the 2024 Giro d'Italia? "If he is at the level he had at the 2022 Tour de France, without a doubt. He was in front all the time, he was still there in the third week, and it was even him who blew up Pogacar on Hautacam after spending the day up front. Afterwards, I think we can take this desire as a message and that he kind of wants to ride for himself. There is perhaps a little frustration that has arisen in him in recent years and he also wants to be a leader."

Can Remco Evenepoel take on Pogacar or Vingegaard? "We have to wait for the confrontation, and if we have the right to do so in July, we will have a first response. And even if he is beaten in 2024, that will not mean that he cannot win it afterwards. I had doubts about his abilities in the high mountains two or three years ago, but he has improved a lot since then and has worked a lot. Afterwards, as I said, it is only when they are confronted that we will be able to see what it gives."