04/10/2023

"What would it have been like if Remco also rode for Jumbo?" - Guillaume Martin worries about possible quality difference against top teams

Guillaume Martin is one of the leaders of Cofidis, and this year at the Tour de France there had been a verbal battle between Jumbo-Visma and Groupama-FDJ regarding the difference in professionalism in cycling. Martin is aware the French teams are a step behind, and also comments on the news of the negotiations between Jumbo-Visma and Soudal - Quick-Step.

“They can also be more professional because they have more money. It's easier when you have the resources. Moreover, we also train at altitude and we also pay attention to our nutrition," Martin told Vélofutè regarding Jumbo-Visma. “There may indeed be things that we are not doing well and we must pay attention to possible areas for improvement. The French teams are very old, which can be an advantage, but sometimes it provides a traditional side that the new teams do not have. They may have a more modern, scientific approach. There may still be some obstacles to overcome in France.”

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With the sheer dominance of Jumbo-Visma at the Grand Tours, this difference between the top teams and those in the middle or lower standings of the World Tour have become even more noticeable. And it may be on the verge of becoming even bigger, as two teams may merge to build what could turn into an even stronger squad at the top. “I don't know what to think about it. I don't know if it's true, but I hope it won't be before 2024."

"There are riders at Cofidis who still don't have a contract and if we lose a team, we run the risk of riders losing their jobs - not just riders from the teams in question," he continues. "Whether the merger is good for cycling? I'm not sure about that. When we pool wealth – whether in the economy or in sports – not only good things come of it. Equality means more spectacle, but if the best riders ride in one team… This was already the case with Jumbo, so if we add Quick-Step, it becomes very complicated.”

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For Martin specially, who puts his main focus on the Grand Tours and looks to perform, this could become an even bigger obstacle for him - a rider who is constantly on the attack, and races in a different way than many GC contenders.

“We have already seen this in the Vuelta. What would it have been like if Remco also rode for Jumbo? I think we should avoid such scenarios. If we had not had the duel between Pogacar and Vingegaard in the Tour de France, it would have been a much less interesting race," he believes.