French teams raise concern over talent exodus: "When it comes to 3 million, it’s a limiting factor"

French cycling is facing a tough time, at least according to the team leaders of WorldTour teams Groupama-FDJ, Cofidis, and Arkéa-B&B Hotels. National labor and tax regulations are reportedly creating a financial noose around the teams' necks. "The knife is at our throats," warns Marc Madiot (Groupama-FDJ).

According to French law, both riders and staff must be registered as employees of a company. This reportedly results in an additional 40 percent cost for French teams compared to temporary contracts. The extra expenses make it impossible for French teams to compete with foreign squads. The departures of Lenny Martinez to Bahrain Victorious, Valentin Paret-Peintre to Soudal Quick-Step, and Axel Zingle to Visma | Lease a Bike are cited as examples. It has simply become more attractive for French riders to race for foreign teams.

This is a notable development, given that French cyclists have historically preferred to ride for teams from their own country and were not eager to make the leap to a foreign squad. There have certainly been successful examples in the past. Take former rider Sylvain Chavanel, who made the switch to Patrick Lefevere's team and found success there. Then there's Christophe Laporte, who emerged as a key figure in the classics at Visma | Lease a Bike at a later age and even won a stage in the Tour two years ago.

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"As far as three million goes, it’s a limiting factor"

"Everything just costs more," says Groupama-FDJ team boss Marc Madiot in an interview with L'Equipe. He observes that French teams can’t compete with the financial might of foreign squads. "French teams are currently unable to fight with the best teams when it comes to recruitment. We can’t keep dreaming." Team leader Emmanuel Hubert of Arkéa-B&B is facing serious issues and had to let go of key riders Vincenzo Albanese and Clement Champoussin. "It’s not that we are worse than other teams to work for. The only thing at stake here is money," he explains.

Cédric Vasseur, team boss of Cofidis, elaborates on the impact of French regulations. "If it’s forty percent on an annual salary of 50,000 euros, it’s not a huge difference. But when it comes to three million, it becomes a limiting factor. The real concern is that top talents are no longer coming to French teams because they are financially penalized."

An example of a significant outgoing transfer of a French rider is that of Martinez to Bahrain Victorious. The young climber is widely regarded as a future great cyclist and has already showcased impressive performances. Madiot wanted to keep him but felt powerless from the sidelines. "I couldn't even fight for him. The difference for Martínez is astronomical. Then you have agents telling you that your team is fantastic for developing riders, but as soon as they reach their peak, it’s time to move on!" he says, sounding quite bitter.