Cycling: For the French FDJ team, the 2015 season was not nearly as successful as hoped. Even if Thibaut Pinot was able to show his climbing qualities, better results are expected from him and his colleagues in the coming year.
FDJ - Overview
Probably the best thing you can say about the 2015 season at FDJ is: It's over. A few weeks ago, team manager Marc Madiot described his side's season as "Average at best." Luckily, Thibaut Pinot was able to confirm his reputation as one of the best climbers in the peloton and secure the occasional prestigious win. However, the performance gap between Pinot and the rest of the team this season has been almost alarmingly large. While the 25-year-old Frenchman finished 10th in the WorldTour rankings, the team's second-best rider, Alexandre Geniez, was only 83rd.
In particular, Arnaud Démare, who was so successful in the previous season, disappointed across the board and was only able to record two wins of the season (two stage wins on the Belgium tour). As already mentioned, only Thibaut Pinot was able to pull the proverbial cart out of the mud – although more was probably expected from the climbing specialist. In the run-up to the tour, he counted to the secret favourites, but unfortunately could not do justice to this role at any time. Although his undoubted ability flashed again and again, he simply didn't manage to bring this constant to the street - maybe the pressure from the team and the public was too great beforehand. After all, he was able to complete the difficult 20th stage to Alpe d'Huez decide for yourself. A moment of shock for the team was that bad mass crash on the third stage, where William Bonnet got it really bad: The season was over for the 33-year-old with a broken neck. In 2016, however, he would like to make a fresh start.
However, the majority of the team will have an opportunity in 2016 to make amends for a disappointing preseason. The management has managed to retain all top performers and the French racing team is also reticent when it comes to newcomers. Only the hopeful Sebastien Reichenbach from Switzerland joins from another WorldTour team (IAM Cycling) - the remaining newcomers come from the youth or from smaller ProContinental teams. Thibaut Pinot will without a doubt be one of the big favorites again in the difficult hill climbs and stages – will the 25-year-old be able to show his qualities as a class rider in 2016? We will see.
FDJ – transfers
Departures: David Boucher (Crelan – Vastgoedservice), Arnold Jeannesson (Cofidis), Jussi Veikkanen (End of Career), Anthony Geslin (End of Career), Francis Mourey (Fortuneo-Vital Concept), Elie Gesbert (Fortuneo-Vital Concept)
Additions: Odd Christian Eiking (Neo), Marc Fournier (Neo), Daniel Hoelgaard (Joker), Ignatas Konovalovas (Team Marseille 13 KTM), Jérémy Maison (Neo), Sebastien Reichenbach (IAM Cycling)
FDJ - Team bikes and equipment
team bike: As in the previous season, the FDJ team bikes in 2016 come from the French manufacturer Lapierre. The all-round road bike Xelius SL will certainly see the most racing kilometers and has received a comprehensive update for 2016. Since the middle of last season, the FDJ pros have been out and about with the new frame, whose special design in the area of the rear top tube and seat stays is reminiscent of the classic GT double triangle design and is intended to ensure a particularly high level of comfort. The aero wheel AircodeSL remains largely unchanged - as does the time trial model Lapierre Aerostorm.
components: When it comes to the components, the French racing team relies entirely on Japanese power from Shimano. The FDJ professionals will not only use Dura Ace for the drive, but also the wheels will come from the Asian bicycle specialists.
disc brakes: While the supply of suitable components and wheels would not be a problem at FDJ thanks to Shimano, there is a lack of suitable frames or wheels. In the street sector, Lapierre only offers an endurance model with the new Sensium Disc, which will probably only be a serious alternative for a few races. A disc version of the Xelius is not yet in sight - so we will probably see Pinot, Démare and colleagues with rim brakes in 2016.
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