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9 November 2005

10 November News ...

Cofidis Drastically Changes for 2006

The French Cofidis squadra is undergoing some serious changes in 2006. The latest count by the BiciRace.com accounting crew has 14 riders coming in, 11 going out, and 17 staying put. When we got the numbers back from the accounting department there was a small asterisk at the bottom: "* Our vote for the most drastically changed team."

Cofidis is known for signing big names in the past: Lance Armstrong, Frank Vandenbroucke, Bobby Julich, Francesco Casagrande and David Millar. If you look back at the history of all those riders with the French squadra you will find many interesting stories to be told. But luckily every year the sponsorship continues and the team reinvents itself.

Joining the red, blue and white squadra this year are such big names as: Bradley Wiggins, Cristian Moreni, Ivan Parra, Rik Verbrugghe and Tyler Farrar. Like most riders from England, Wiggins (25) can blast his rivals in the TT. Moreni (32), a former Italian champion, always places high and can be counted on for strong support. Parra (30) rocked the Giro d'Italia this year with two very important mountain stage wins. Verbrugghe (30) is a strong TT man that could possibly win the overall of a small stage race. Finally, the young-gun, Farrar (21), makes his jump across the Atlantic Ocean to race in the big leagues.

Out of the Cofidis camp is a long list of riders (see below). Topping the charts is everyone's favorite aggressive Aussie, Stuart O'Grady. O'Grady has had an up and down affair with Cofidis, but he should really fly with Team CSC in 2006. Unfortunately White was not able to continue with O'Grady, he is destined for Discovery Channel. Cédric Vasseur, a longtime Cofidis man, will head to Quick-Step, and it will be interesting to see how he performs under Patrick Lefevere. Then there are a number of supporting riders who are still searching for a team for 2006.

Part of the big Cofidis shake-up might be attributed to their time in the bidding war for Gilberto Simoni. The 2X Giro d'Italia champion finally signed for Saunier Duval-Prodir but for sometime was linked with Cofidis. The thought was that bringing on Ivan Parra would be an excellent support rider for Simoni on the Italian roads. The desire for Simoni (and need for his contract money) might also help explain the number of riders who were not resigned.

Cofidis have retained some impressive French talent: Sylvain Chavanel (26) and David Moncoutié (30). Chavanel is slowly progressing as the next possible French hope. While Moncoutié put a big win on the board with stage 12 of this year's Tour de France. Along with the 17 riders that are continuing with Cofidis, is the Italian bicycle manufacture, Wilier. The firm will continue to sponsor Cofidis, along with Lampre, for 2006.

In:
Bradley Wiggins (from Crédit Agricole)
Chris Sutton (neo-pro)
Cristian Moreni (from Quick-Step)
Fabien Sanchez (from Française Des Jeux)
Geoffroy Lequatre (from Crédit Agricole)
Ivan Parra (from Selle Italia-Colombia)
Leonardo Duque (from Jartazi)
Mathieu Heijboer (from Rabobank Continental)
Maxime Monfort (from Landbouwkrediet-Colnago)
Michiel Elijzen (from Rabobank Continental)
Rik Verbrugghe (from Quick-Step)
Sébastien Minard (from R.A.G.T. Semences)
Tristan Valentin (from Auber '93)
Tyler Farrar (from Health net)

Out:
Christophe Edaleine (to Crédit Agricole)
Cédric Vasseur (to Quick-Step)
Daniel Atienza (to ??)
Dmitriy Fofonov (to Crédit Agricole)
Guido Trentin (to ??)
Janek Tombak (to Auber '93)
Jans Koerts (to ??)
Jimmy Engoulvent (to Crédit Agricole)
Matthew White (to Discovery Channel)
Peter Farazijn (to ??)
Stuart O'Grady (to Team CSC)

Current Riders:
Amaël Moinard
Arnaud Coyot
Bingen Fernández
Damien Monier
David Moncoutié
Frédéric Bessy
Hervé Duclos-Lassalle
Jimmy Casper
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Luis Pérez
Nicholas Roche
Nicolas Inaudi
Staf Scheirlinckx
Stéphane Augé
Sylvain Chavanel
Thierry Marichal

Read:
Matthew White Hears Disco Beat, 4 November
Team CSC and Stuart O'Grady, 28 October
Moreni Heads to Cofidis after SonyEricsson Fall-out, 17 October
Quick-Stepin' Cédric Vasseur, 5 October
Verbrugghe Signs with Cofidis, 29 August
Ivan Parra to Cofidis, 28 August

8 November News ...