The Tour de France starts this Saturday in Lille, a boiling city where the Cofidis team, installed in the region, wants to shine at home. Runners, mechanics, caravans: all are ready to make this departure a highlight of the big loop.
The launch of the Tour de France will be given this Saturday in Lille. A major event for cycling fans, but also a special moment for the Cofidis team, based in the region. This northern training will compete in the first stages at home, with the desire to make an impression.
In front of the team’s bus, the runner Alexis Renard is looking forward to the departure. “We see the craze around the Tour in the North and around our team. For us, it’s very special. I’m really looking forward to seeing that on Saturday,” the northern training runner told Europe 1.
The first three stages, disputed in Hauts-de-France, were targeted as priority by the runners. No question of waiting wisely the mountain stages: Cofidis wants to strike hard from the start. “Some teams prefer to play prudence, but we immediately want to seek results,” says Benjamin Thomas, specialist in timed effort.
“We control each part, each adjustment”
Behind the scenes, everything must be perfect. Mechanics pass the bikes in thin comb. “We control each part, each setting. The bikes must be identical to the nearest millimeter. We have no right to make mistakes,” explains Nicolas, one of the team technicians.
And at Cofidis, the mobilization goes beyond the sportsman. Sixteen employees of the company will support the advertising caravan to distribute neck caches to spectators massaged along the roads. A way to make the team shine on all terrains.
