Voeckler does not care about Bardet and Alaphilippe retiring soon: ''Golden generation knocks on the door with Martinez, for example''
Cycling
As a rider, Thomas Voeckler was known for his intuition for the good breakaway in all fields. Today, he passes those skills on to a new generation as the national coach of France. He will remain active in that role for the next few years. In L'Équipe, he explained that choice despite much interest from other teams.
It was not a bad result. Behind the unbeatable Remco Evenepoel, Valentin Madouas and Christophe Laporte took the silver and bronze in the road race of the Olympics—an excellent result for the French in their own Paris, led by national coach Voeckler. The French are ready for rejuvenation with Romain Bardet, who will retire in 2025, and Julian Alaphilippe, who is 32 years old and does not have eternal life. And that is precisely where the coach is confident, leading him to extend his contract with the national team.
Read more below the photo.
Voeckler points to Magnier, Seixas, and Martinez as French rising stars
Voeckler explains why he will continue as national team coach. "The focus will be more on developing young talent and talented riders. I have also had interest from other teams in my services, which was flattering. But I want to work with the national selection, and I enjoy seeing young people, even very young people, get to the top." And then the national coach, indeed, has a lot of options in the coming years. Think of Lenny Martinez, top talent Paul Seixas, and sprinter Paul Magnier.
"I am convinced that something can be accomplished with this group," he continued. "Indeed, we have also depended on Julian Alaphilippe and Romain Bardet," he admits. "But so did Madouas and Laporte, and there was no talent shortage." Hence, the decision to extend. "There is a great generation knocking on the door, for example, Martinez and Magnier. A lot will also depend on World Championships and European Championships courses. I like it here. I am very proud to be the head of the French team and would like to get more results from the national team."
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Latest Comments
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024