Benjamin thomas, 27 years, is a six-time European champion and two-time World Champion in track cycling. He is also a member of the Cofidis road team. Growing in importance within the peloton, we did a long interview with him on the eve of the launch of his 9th season as a professional cyclist.
The last time, he gave us his secrets to alternate between the world of track and road and looked back on his last Tour de France. Here, he tells us about the arrival in his new team and the atmosphere within it.
Cycling Times : To remember your journey, you have been in the Army then at Groupama. Why did you leave Groupama-FDJ for Cofidis ?
Benjamin thomas : I wanted to change teams, to get some fresh air.
I had a calendar that was blocked at Groupama in terms of participation in the Tour de France. Particularly to have responsibilities. I could not claim to have the role of David Gaudu or an Arnaud Démare or a Valentin Madouas and to be leader in major races. So I had to make decisions and opt for Cofidis which distributes the leadership roles a little more. It was a good opportunity for me to be able to achieve some results.
And more, knowing that the track project worked well for them too, it was a bonus. Groupama, They didn't mind me doing track, but there had already been quite a few years devoted to that, especially the year 2020/2021. Before the Tokyo Games, I had sacrificed a lot of road to do the track. For them, it wasn't a great compromise to start again on a cycle like that. It happened quite naturally.
C.T. : Are there any teams other than Cofidis that had made an offer? ?
B.T. : Yes, some teams.
Most of the French teams have been in telephone contact or have been directly at certain races, or via my agent. So there had been contacts with some French teams. We also had interest in two or three teams abroad.
And we had to make choices. And especially, one of the main criteria was to continue the track.
C.T. : We can have the names of the teams which had small offers abroad ?
B.T. : From memory, I would tell you Trek.
C.T. : You've been at Cofidis for a year, how do you feel there ?
We have a group that lives well. I really enjoy working with the team. And it’s this cohesion that also makes us feel good between us.. We enjoy running together. The team has also been in good momentum for a year and a half. There are good results. The team wants to improve a little on all points, so it's positive.
C.T. : You are the second runner to have scored the most points in 2022, behind Guillaume Martin. What place do you occupy in the team now? ?
B.T. : I am less protected than Guillaume, which is more focused on the general rankings on the Grand Tours. But there are several riders who have this role in the team.
There is Bryan Coquard, il y a Axel Zingle, Jesús Herrada and Ion Izaguirre. This is what makes Cofidis strong, it’s not to bet everything on one or two runners. And finally, have six, sept, eight who are capable of winning top races. The strength of this team, everyone has a chance. Even the teammates, during the year, can have their chance in escapes. And, on a race, the leader is not at the level, or if there is no longer necessarily a leader, Everyone has a chance.
That’s also what I like about this team. There’s no one who puts themselves above anyone and that’s really nice.. It allows you to work in a good atmosphere. And when we're racing for a leader, we have no moods. We know that today we can work for him and tomorrow, he will work for me and the day after tomorrow we will work for someone else. So that’s what gives us strength and solidarity..
C.T. : Are there many differences between Groupama-FDJ and Cofidis ?
B.T. : Yes, Not bad. Déjà, at the level of this mentality, this philosophy, this vision of the team, Groupama has more ambitions to have big objectives. […] This is where there is really a difference with Cofidis. It's easier to win with the greatest number of different runners.
That doesn't stop us from aiming high. Whether it’s stage victories on Grand Tours or achieving good results on monuments, classics.
There is also the rider management side too. There is more diversity between groups. Where at Groupama, we had well-defined groups. There is a little more movement at Cofidis. The group tours a little more throughout the season as well.
C.T. : According to you, what would explain your difference in results between Groupama-FDJ and Cofidis ?
B.T. : By the fact that Cofidis gave me more chances in certain races this year.
I was lucky from the start to do well and win the Étoile de Bessèges. It sent a signal to the team and gave them the idea to include me as a protégé in other races.. And finally, the hunt for points during the year led us to run a lot, to achieve results, and I often found myself in the favorable situation.
And physically, I'm not much stronger than last year or two years ago. But I was put in better conditions.
You will be at the end of your contract with Cofidis at the end of the year, are there any negotiations that have been started for next year? ?
B.T. : Yes, negotiations, we talk about it quite a bit. Particularly with Cédric Vasseur to try to reach an agreement. We have no urgency to sign straight away. So we are no longer focused on the start of the season and then the rest will come naturally..
C.T. : So it will always be Cofidis ?
B.T. : I think I have every interest in continuing. After for the team, we need to be on the same wavelength. Whether for the track and my ambitions on the road and looking at the needs of the team.
The next time, he will talk to us about what cycling and its world represent.
