"I'm very impatient to get back on the bike, to put on a bib with the pros" - Alexis Gougeard prepares for a comeback to the World Tour peloton
Cycling
Alexis Gougeard is preparing to regain his place in the professional ranks, left temporarily vacant after the disbanding of the B&B Hotels-KTM team. For some a rather surprising return in Cofidis jersey is, in fact, a consequence of his efforts with the amateur team VC Rouen 76.
"It’s really nice to be here," Gougeard confides. "I'm very impatient to get back on the bike, to put on a bib with the pros. The objective with Rouen was really to show that I still had my place in the pack."
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For him, the mission is validated, regardless of the criticism from those who did not believe in it. "I know there are people who say things about me but it’s none of my business, they do what they want, I really stay focused on my goal," admits former Vuelta stage winner. He adds: "I stay myself and whether I like it or not, it's like that, there are people who like me, so I tend to listen to those people."
What about participation in the Grande Boucle? "It's a goal, that's clear. Now there are other races ahead. I want to show that they didn't make a mistake in signing me." While the Tour de France is definitely in the back of Gougeard's mind. So far, the only certainty seems to be that the 30-year-old will be seen racing in Belgium in the spring.
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Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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- great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
- As he isn't currently with Red Bull, I guess if he want to race for one more year he needs to find a team. He's 37 so this will be his last year I would guess, unless he wants to race for almost nothing like Froome did.awp10-11-2026
- I think some are making much ado about nothing. Even though Jonas is getting older, before his crash in the Tour, he looked like a solid 2nd all the way home. No one can really climb with Tadej until this year, Eric Mas showed himself which I think was a one off year for him and Paul Seixas has been able to be pretty close to him. Whatever stage race Jonas enters as long as Tadej is not there he is a favorite to win.awp10-11-2026
- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
- Very true.awp10-11-2026
- Ciccone had a very strong end of season. Consistently attacking and livening up races. Hope he makes that last leap in progress and starts notching some significant wins. Great rider to watch.Occam10-11-2026
- Me too!!!!!Occam10-11-2026
- they can sign any 100 of top riders today but Pogi will win over Remco any time at the TDF unless something goes wrongabstractengineer10-11-2026
- the time for a GC rider to retire is when they cannot win stages, or have a significant level drop like from winner/podium into top 5/10 consistently. Roglic is still competitive and Froome raced even though he became pack fodder.abstractengineer10-11-2026
- He should be in a different team. It was detrimental. For them it does not matter if he does not develop. He should have gone to a team where they need him to succeed.abstractengineer10-11-2026
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