Massive upset for Benoît Cosnefroy who wasn't selected for Paris Olympics: "I do not know what more I could have done"

Thomas Voeckler confirmed the French selection for the Olympic Games, and while the quartet Julian Alaphilippe, Christophe Laporte, Valentin Madouas and Kevin Vauquelin can ready themselves to represent their country in Paris, Benoît Cosnefroy was left out. And it's a massive upset both for his fans, but also for the Frenchman himself. After all he's been having one of the best seasons of his career so far in 2024.

With seven victories in 2024 (the popular Brabantse Pijl among them), it's wonder this pill is quite hard to swallow for Cosnefroy. What can the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale rider do about this disappointment? "Accept and look ahead. Be strong," reacted Cosnefroy on his X account just after the announcement.

The 28-year-old puncheur went into more detail at a press conference about Voeckler's choice. "Of course I'm hugely disappointed. I found out a week ago, so the disappointment is a bit swallowed, but it's still a huge disappointment not to be in this selection. I had prepared myself mentally and physically for this meeting. Obviously I dreamed of it, it was a goal. The disappointment is on a par with the event."

How did the coach present things to him and justify his absence? "I spoke to Thomas on the phone when he told me, he had his arguments. He thinks that the race was not necessarily made for me. But it is up to him to answer them and explain his reasons. I trust him completely, he has shown in the past that he makes good decisions and has good strategies. His record at the head of the French team is proof of that."

"There is a lot of quality within the team, everyone deserves their selection. In no case will I argue about it. There is nothing to say. On a personal level, given my season, I sincerely have nothing to reproach myself for. I do not know what more I could have done," he pointed out.

There's still enough opportunities to bounce back from the disappointment in later parts of the season. Cosnefroy will return to the competition at the Tour de Wallonie (July 22-26), which was supposed to be his preparatory race for the Olympic Games. With Tour de Pologne, Bretagne Classic and the classics in Canada, there are still interesting objectives ahead for the Frenchman. "There are some great races to go for, I will try to continue this great momentum," he concluded.