Valentin Ferron is no longer a Team TotalEnergies rider. After spending almost a decade in Jean-René Bernaudeau's structure, since his arrival at Vendée U in 2017 – he then made his debut with the Espoirs after having played at UV Poitiers – the puncher made the choice to join Cofidis. “Basically, it doesn’t change much, it doesn’t make me feel weird. It's just different. I have a new coach, Mathieu Defontaine, but the working base remains the same”he confides to DirectVelo on the sidelines of the Spanish pre-season camp.
REVERSING THE TREND
While he had won every season for his first three professional years – a stage of the Tour du Rwanda 2021, a stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné 2022 and Paris-Camembert 2023 – the Poitevin experienced a more delicate annual exercise last year , his 4th place at the Boucles de l'Aulne remaining his only Top 10 (!) of the season. “It's not great… In terms of results but also in terms of sensations. I didn't have much fun. I searched but couldn't find any specific reasons for this situation”. Although he was “far from feeling bad at Total”Valentin Ferron therefore wanted to move on to try to get back on track. “I want to reverse the trend. This change will do me good. I wanted a change of scenery, to see what is happening elsewhere. It’s also an opportunity to get out of my comfort zone”.
The 26-year-old athlete didn't need to contact much training to find a new home. In May, he reached an agreement with Cédric Vasseur. “I wanted a change of scenery, to see what is happening elsewhere. It's a WorldTeam, it's attractive for the calendar. Unlike my old team, we know everything in advance. There can be no bad surprises”.
DISCOVER THE TOUR OF ITALY
By now playing in a WorldTeam, Valentin Ferron will be able to participate in races in which he has never been able to compete with Team TotalEnergies. Including one in particular that makes him dream. “I would like to be able to participate in the Giro. This is one of the reasons why I wanted to change teams,” he admits, also mentioning the Tour of Catalonia. Above all, he knows that he will always keep the same freedoms as within his previous training. “At Cofidis, I will have the same freedom as at Total for escapes. It’s a philosophy that is important to me, I wouldn’t like to be restricted”.
Puncher, free electron, he should be invaluable to his team in scoring numerous UCI points, while the Cofidis team is in danger of going down to the second division at the end of the season. “Maintaining the WorldTour is the No. 1 objective. It’s a challenge for the whole group. I know that I am expected to score points. I also want to raise my arms”. To do this, Valentin Ferron will have a suitable calendar with races in which to perform very quickly. During the restart weekend in Spain (Castellon and Clasica Valenciana) before continuing in the south-eastern quarter of France with the GP La Marseillaise, the Tour de la Provence and the Tour des Alpes-Maritimes. So many opportunities to get your new adventure off to a good start.
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