'You can feel the difference this year' - After being relegated from the WorldTour, Cofidis' new strategy for points is paying off

Cofidis has responded decisively to its relegation from the UCI WorldTour by adopting a new strategic approach focused on accumulating points rather than simply chasing victories. Following the loss of their WorldTour licence at the end of the 2023–2025 ranking period, the French team underwent significant management changes under new General Manager Raphael Jeune. This fresh direction has already yielded tangible results, with the team securing six wins so far in 2024 and climbing to 13th place in the UCI Team Rankings. Notably, Stanisław Aniołkowski’s recent stage win at the Presidential Tour of Turkey exemplifies their renewed competitiveness. The team’s recalibrated race calendar has been central to their improved performance. Cofidis has significantly reduced its race load, competing in only 17 WorldTour events this year compared to 34 last season, and skipping the Giro d’Italia altogether. This lighter schedule contrasts sharply with previous years when they raced more than any other team, often stretching a relatively small roster of 30 riders to the limit. Riders like Emanuel Buchmann have highlighted the benefits of this approach, noting that fewer race days have left the squad fresher and more capable of targeting key events to maximise points. Cofidis’ shift in philosophy also marks a departure from the previous management’s emphasis on outright wins. Instead, the focus is on strategic point-scoring across a variety of races, including ProSeries events where riders like Sylvain Moniquet enjoy greater freedom to pursue individual results. This method aims to steadily rebuild the team’s ranking and secure a return to the WorldTour. While Cofidis has yet to fully achieve this goal, the current trajectory is promising, with the team comfortably ahead of several rivals and demonstrating a more consistent and measured approach to competition. The team’s leadership and riders acknowledge the challenges ahead but remain committed to their three-year plan to regain WorldTour status. Aniołkowski reflected on the relegation as a tough but instructive experience that has galvanised the squad’s resolve. Meanwhile, Moniquet emphasised the importance of accumulating points even in smaller races, recognising that these efforts collectively contribute to the broader objective. Cofidis’ experience underscores the evolving dynamics of professional cycling, where strategic planning and resource management can be as crucial as raw talent in maintaining elite status.