Could Peter Pal and Delfi Cervero contact team management with their preferred races for Part 2. Most of the team has been assigned races and we are now waiting to slide in around two of our big leaders.
Hello, I'd just like to say sorry to the FDJ management after my terrible showing throughout the Early Season. Despite being hyped up a lot, and being given so good an opportunity, I haven't even managed a podium, never mind the win. This is really disappointing for me and i wanted to apologise here. This team has put a lot of kindness, support and work into getting me into a winning position but I just couldn't pull it off. I've let down their trust and confidence and have utterly failed to deliver. The management has shown a lot of trust in me and signed me even when others had no faith. They have believed in me every step of the way and I have let them down. All there is left to say now is that despite my obvious disappointment I have decided to treat this as a learning experience and hopefully next time I'll live up to expectation. For me the biggest part of the season is coming up in the hilly classics. Hopefully I will perform there or I will have failed the team as a whole. I am deeply sorry for my atrocious start, and will endeavour to do more next time.
Invitation from Euskaltel - Euskadi [img-r]https://hl2mp.tsgk.com/hlstatsimg/flags/es_states/euskadi.png[/img-r]
To the management and certain riders of FDJ.fr
In our evergoing effort to promote cycling in the "extended Basque country" meaning Euskadi, Navarre and Aquitaine the management of Euskaltel - Euskadi have decided to host a Basque race series taking place with one race in each season break.
That means that someone on your team is eligeable to take part.
Since we respect that riders are bound by their contracts we want you to have the final word in whether or not they may take part They will off course ride in their usual team kit.
The lineup will consist of as many professionals as possible as well as a talent-team from each of the three regions.
The route will vary slightly from race to race but the first edition will be held on the route used for Clásica San Sebastián.
Pierrick Fedrigo and Matthieu Ladagnous will not be attending your new event. Pierrick is interested but feels the extra racing and traveling would be detrimental to his performances for the tea, while Matthieu we are not allowing to race because of its close proximity to his major season goals in the Flanders Classics.
Mickael Delage however will be able to participate. Whilst he has no real feelings towards Aquitane or Basque nationalism, having been born nearly 300km away and rarely living or working in the area, he is honored to be given the chance to participate. However we will only let him race on the following conditions:
1) All Tavel, Accommodation and Expense are covered by the organizers.
2) He is to wear his normal FDJ.fr jersey
3) He is not to be used in any race promotional materials
4) Any injury related costs are fully covered by the organizers
Of course the riders or their teams will be kept free of any expences as the locoal community are eager supportes loaning us busses and allowing the riders free accomodation as well as free dinner at local restaurants using only the best local ingredients, which are guarenteed free of any illegal substances.
We wouldn't imagine it any other way than the riders wearing their normal kit and we will of course refrain from using him in promotional materials when you so wish.
All riders are covered by insurance and we carefully plan the races to not affect the regular racing.
We had hoped to see Ladagnous though since his birthtown of Pau isn't too far away. We understand that he feels travelling to San Sebastian in the middle of the cobbled season is a bit too much, but we figured he perhaps was home for the break anyway.
Matthieu is not in Pau for the break as he is staying with the rest of the Classics squads in the north for extra training.
It's certainly not a no for all time. Matthieu would certainly have liked to raced this time out, but certainly will be available at a later stage in the season to race. Pierrick is tougher to say as it will depend how he feels at the time.
The Part 1 break has allowed us a good chance to evaluate the team and we've picked out two riders who have made real gains in the last couple of months. Firstly Demare is now much better at riding in the pack and following the lead-out. This should make him less tired come the final burst and keep him in a better position for the same effort. Secondly Elissonde has certainly improved his climbing style. He seems more comfortable using a lower gear and has lost a bit of weight, which will make him more prevalent on the longer cols.
We look forward to the Continental Championships even if we don't hold much hope of success in them. In Europe we are just looking to be active rather than successful, but in America we do hope Cervero can find his early season form and bring back a medal.
Also we are developing a joint Twitter account with another team so check us out @B3B_FDJ and use #EPICfdj to get at us!
Hello everyone!
I am back from my most recent race, the American continental championships. The race is for everyone in America, (North and South), which includes me. It is on a hilly parcours, which suits me as a classics rider. Unfortunately I didn't have much support, but I can't blame the team for that, as they are almost all French. Naturally the TT didn't go well for me. I was right down the bottom, but it was just a form buildr for the main event.
In the race itself, I felt pretty good. I managed to stay with the front group the entire race, but I never managed to put in a good attack and everything I was part of came to nothing. This was good as it meant people realised I was a favourite, but bad as I couldn't go anywhere. When the decisive attacks came I didn't have the strength to chase, so I sat back then sprinted for the lesser places.
I managed a decent finish, coming home 5th. This is acceptable, and shows I am in good form for the Ardennes, where I will be given more space hopefully, with bigger favourites. I am looking forward to leading the team there, and hopefully I will repeat this result or do better! In terms of development, I feel I have got a bit better at climbing, and a lot more resistant to punishment, hopefully this will help me in the next part of the season!
Hello team and especially Mr. Cervero. What you made in the Continental Championship will be a following guide to me. We both were a little bit lazy in the first part of the season, but you just made example that great things can follow. Thanks. I hope we can team up and make a lot of training as the season go on.
Ronde van Vlaanderen
Pais Vasco
Paris-Roubaix
Amstel Gold Race
La Fleche Wallone
Liege-Bastogne-Liege
Tour de Romandie
Giro d'Italia
Criterium du Dauphine
Tour de Suisse
Dunkerque
The calendar was 99% confirmed a long time ago for the team, but now with that final one percent we can now release our squads for the upcoming races! Lots of action to look forward to:
Flanders Classics Boucher, Delage, Fischer, Ladagnous, Le Bon, Offredo, Rollin, Pal
Peter Pal is the leader and has his focus squarely on Roubaix. The Ronde will be tricky but a Top10 is still achievable. Roubaix we want the Podium finish. Ladagnous will be key to both of these and if he can give good support then a lot is possible
Pais Vasco Bonnet, Courteille, Elissonde, Jeanesson, Mangel, Mourey, Vaugrenard, Cervero
Cervero takes charge in Spain. He is a great rider on hills but can he step up to tackle all week and still deliver. Vaugrenard and Elissonde could also provide results. Weaker squad overall as our focus is elsewhere.
Ardennes Classics Fedrigo, Geslin, Mourey, Pinot, Roy, Vaugrenard, Vichot, Cervero
Cervero in comfort on the hills over one day. He is talented and has shown glimpses of it and now he has to step up a level and deliver for the team. Vichot could also provide something special given a bit of luck and a good-day.
Romandie Casar, Delage, Fedrigo, Geneiz, Geslin, Le Bon, Pinot, Roux
Set as a goal for the team so Pinot was shuffled into the squad. Targeting a Top10 then with some solid support. Still an underpowered squad though as eyes are focused elsewhere at the same time.
Giro d'Italia Casar, Delage, Fedrigo, Geneiz, Geslin, Le Bon, Roux, Viennet, Pineau
Here to hunt stage wins via breakaways. Nothing more expected, nothing more really wanted. Not a major race for the team so it's certainly C-team territory.
4 Jours Bonnet, Boucher, Fischer, Ladagnous, Offredo, Rollin, Soupe, Pal
Our only CT race of the section! Targeted by Pal and most of the classics squad, with a top GC result well in sight. Important race but we hope some big names are busy at the Giro.
Dauphine Bonnet, Elissonde, Jeanneson, Mourey, Pichon, Pineau, Pinot, Roy
Big race, big squad. Pinot to target the GC and hopefully a good one as well. Beyond him there is some decent support who could snatch a win themselves given the chance. The teams focus for this section of the season and a big result here will go a long way in the rankings
Suisse Bouhanni, Demare, Fischer, Ladagnous, Offredo, Rollin, Soupe, Vichot
Another strong squad lead by the Duo. Bouhanni and Demare hoping for stage wins, as is Vichot. Strong squad with a lot of depth that could bag multiple stages here, if no real GC contender. All part of the key build up to Le Tour
Hello!
Delfi Cervero is here again. I'd just like to comment on how much I'm liking this new schedule! It's brilliant. In the Tour of the Basque Country, I am anxious but also excited about my leaders role. Normally that isn't my area, but I feel that recently I have improved a lot, so maybe I will not be a flop?
The Ardennes is amazing, and to be leader, astounding! I am really greatful, hopefully I won't let you down this time. I think I can get at least 1 podium in an Ardennes classic. This would be great, but if the team is confident took I think we can aim higher. Hopefully I will get multiple podiums, maybe even a win, but that is all for the future. So far my season has been mediocre, but here is where things change.
Mickaël Delage
