Thomas Voeckler, one of the most popular French riders, is named coach of the French team of road cycling with immediate effect. He replaces Cyrille Guimard.
Thomas Voeckler, one of the most popular French riders of the 21st century, has been named coach of the French team of road cycling with immediate effect to replace Cyrille Guimard, announced Sunday the French Federation of cycling (FFC) on the sidelines of the French Championships.
Predicted for a few days, the winner of 4 stages on the Tour de France, holder in 2004 and 2011 of the yellow jersey ten days each time, will have the goal of titles at the World Championships in Yorkshire (United Kingdom) in September, before aiming for the Olympic title in 2020 in Tokyo.
A manager position
Michel Callot, the president of the FFC, was convinced by Voeckler’s “image of ethics”, “the image of a great champion, an image of combativeness associated with charisma and leadership”, a- he said at a press conference in The Hague-Fouassière (Loire-Atlantique).
He added that with the immediate departure of Cyrille Guimard which was “by mutual agreement”. The duration of Voeckler’s contract has not been stopped, but the title of his post has been changed: more than a coach, he will occupy a position of “manager”, a notion aimed at “insisting on the stronger relationship between the Federation. and professional runners “.
“I am delighted,” said Voeckler, who retired after the 2017 Tour de France and will continue to serve as a consultant for several media including France Télévisions , as well as an ambassador at Amaury. Sport Organization (ASO), the organizer of the Tour.
“I want to vibrate with the team of France and that everyone vibrates with it, that the public is proud of it, proud of the image it releases. The results will come in a second time”
