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Alexis Gougeard will rejoin the WorldTour in 2024 after signing a one-year contract with Cofidis. The Frenchman had dropped right down to the beginner ranks for the 2023 season following the collapse of the B&B Resorts squad final winter.
“I’m very glad that the staff has proven confidence in me,” Gougeard stated in an announcement launched by Cofidis on Friday. “All season, my goal was to bounce again, to point out I used to be able to attending to skilled degree once more. I’m happy to see that Cofidis has taken be aware of the work I’ve accomplished these previous months.”
A local of Rouen in Normandy, Gougeard returned to his native membership, VC Rouen 76, within the wake of the demise of B&B Resorts, the place he had spent the 2022 season. The 30-year-old claimed plenty of wins on the home scene this yr, together with Le Caux Tour, the Grand Prix de Neufchâtel-en-Saosnois and the general classification on the Tour des Deux-Sèvres-Magasins. Gougeard additionally made a notable solo effort of greater than 120km on the French beginner championships earlier than inserting seventh in Cassel.
“I’m notably grateful to VC Rouen 76 who accompanied me all season and who gave me lots of freedom,” stated Gougeard. “That allowed me to regain my confidence and I’ve to thank them for this lovely journey.”
Gougeard first turned skilled with AG2R in 2014 and he scored his greatest victory the next yr when he gained a stage of the Vuelta a España in Avila. The Frenchman would spend a complete of eight seasons with Vincent Lavenu’s squad, forming a key a part of their cobbled Classics unit, earlier than he moved to B&B Resorts in 2022.
“We had already talked to Alexis about becoming a member of our ranks, however it by no means occurred,” stated Cofidis supervisor Cedric Vasseur, who added that Gougegard would play a key position on the cobbles for his new staff.
“We have been watching his progress this yr, and given the outcomes he is already achieved professionally and his superiority at beginner degree, we’re delighted to supply him the possibility to show what he is able to on the highest degree.”
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