“It’s the team that ticked all the boxes…” confides Cédrine Kerbaol after her transfer to EF Oatly Cannondale

After your separation “by mutual agreement” with Ceratizit-WN, we imagined you in a WorldTour team in 2025. This will not be the case…

I wasn't looking for the WorldTour label at all costs. I was looking for the best choice for my career and I found it. And then, EF-Oatly-Cannondale, which applies at the ProTeam level, has nothing to envy of certain WorldTour teams. I know we will be invited to all the races. For me, it’s also a team that stands out. It has a beautiful identity, it is in tune with the times. She matches me. I also know that I will have my cards to play. This is the team that ticked all the boxes.

Were you not tempted to join a more prestigious team?

I didn't want to go to a big structure where I know I wouldn't be able to do what I want, where it would have put me in the shadows. I didn't want to be in the shadows. With my agent (the Finnish Joona Laukka), we spoke with several teams, we targeted the team where I would be able to flourish the best.

Is this a team that you have wanted for a long time?

Completely ! When I saw his girls arrive in Mallorca with high quality equipment, helmets with integrated visors and I saw them win two races out of three, I said to myself that it was a big deal. And then, their way of running resembles me.

Were you promised leadership status?

I wasn't promised anything. But at Ceratizit, they didn't promise me that either. I will simply be one of the protected girls. Ceratizit was a very good team to progress with, to get to know me. With EF-Oatly-Cannondale, I move into a dynamic of pure performance. I hope to achieve as many results as possible.

Given your new status, you will be expected…

I was already told that a year ago. The pressure is what we put on ourselves… I don't think about it, I just think about what I'm doing on the bike. I'm not stressed at all about it.

Do you know your 2025 program?

Very little. I just know that it will be focused on the Tour de France (which will start in Brittany). I also know that I will resume in Majorca or Valencia. For the rest… I will know more soon, I will join my new team in the coming weeks in Girona. I resume training on November 11.