Although spots in the World Tour teams are quickly running out, there are still some notable signings being announced across the peloton. One such deal has seen leading French GC prospect, Alex Baudin switch Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale for a new challenge at EF Education-EasyPost.
“It is really exciting to join such an international team,” Baudin says in a press release to his new employers' official website. “This is something I have always wanted to do and I think this is the right time to do it. It is really important to get out of your comfort zone and get to know new people, new cultures, new everything. That is what I like in life. That's why I wanted to join EF Education-EasyPost. I'm still young, and I'm really, really excited.”
Baudin impressed at the Giro d'Italia earlier this year, spending a day in the White Jersey of Best Young Rider and most recently finished on the final podium at the Tour of Guangxi in China. “I started racing with a local club when I was four and never stopped,” he says of his early beginnings in the sport. “My dad bought me a bike and then it was on. From the start, I did well, because there were not a lot of kids, but my father always told me to take it easy in training. Later, when I was a U17, I struggled, because I wasn't training as hard as the others. But my dad always told me that I had the time and should wait to push. When I was U19, I started to train a bit more and got results. My father guided me to the pros. When I signed my first contract two years ago, it was a dream for me.”
The 2024 Tour du Limousin winner is also already looking forward to his first season in the iconic pink of EF Education-EasyPost. “I want to get to know more about cycling and about myself and my limits,” the 23-year-old concludes. “I love exploring on my bike and meeting new people.”