After returning to the amateurs in 2023 following the team's dissolution B&B Hotels, Alexis Gougeard had succeeded, last winter, in attracting the attention of You trustwho wanted to give him another chance. However, for the Norman, just like for the northern team, the past season did not meet their respective expectations. At 31, at the end of his contract, Gougeard has little hope for his future in Cycling. “I had in mind to do more, I still feel capable of it, but unfortunately it’s not me who chose. I did the maximum, but today I don’t have a contract”explain Gougeard in a long interview given to our colleagues at The Team. “I understand, there are young people who are pushing. That has changed on this point, the teams are recruiting earlier and earlier and at 31 it’s too old.”
Video – Alexis Gougeard, at the microphone of Cyclism'Actu, a year ago
“We could have started certain races with one rider less rather than sacrificing myself”
“I started my season well, which shows that I was physically ready, but then there was poor management. For me I was not put in the best mood. I walk a lot on the affect and I was not given confidence, my work was not necessarily recognized and that affected me a little”affirms Gourgeard.
“My racing program was not always respected. At the last moment I could be withdrawn from a race because I had not worked in the previous one. To prepare it is not easy, you are never serene. And when I said that I liked a race, I had the impression that I was not going to do it When I needed to cut back, that I asked them for time, especially after Paris-Nice, where. I felt tired, I was being denied. The problem. of my season comes from there: I was not able to recover from Paris-Nice”he continues. “They have their program in mind, riders that they also appreciate perhaps more than others. We could have started certain races with one rider less rather than sacrificing myself. In the end it gives a bad image of me because I only have withdrawals. I was in mental and physical difficulty, I left for the race with a lump in my stomach, I didn't want to go. That's what I blame the most. Cofidis for not having listened to the runner I could. talk to them, they didn't care, they stayed on their program.”
“I received messages that my behavior was irresponsible…”
Relations with team management You trustand in particular Cedric Vasseurseemed to be complicated. “I tried to call Cédric Vasseur. Because I received messages that my behavior was irresponsible, about my lack of professionalism… Hurtful messages. So I called, but I never had a conversation by phone or in person. I want to hear that I was doing certain things wrong, but I also had things to say to them. There were never any exchanges other than text messages. a little limited”declares Gougeard.
Turned professional in 2014, Gougeard therefore finds himself without a team for this 2025 season… “I'm still waiting for a response, but in my head it's complicated. Even if they call me tomorrow, will that do it? I don't want to relive a season like the last one. If I put on a bib again , it's to be at my level. I still want to, I feel physically capable of doing great things on the bike, but I don't know. In my head it's over. But if it turns out they will tell me yes and that deep down, we always have hope but we have to know how to say stop. I'm still having trouble, but it will come.”he concludes.