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They have covered 2,882.8 km in three weeks and that is a remarkable achievement by any standards. Especially in the time of the growing health crisis throughout Europe. And because the Vuelta gave no respite, the passes that were chained and the multiple difficulties to overcome. And even more - the riders had to withstand the cold, the wind and sometimes the rain.
A team with a strong bond
But the Cofidis team took up the challenge with enthusiasm and talent. The two riders who discovered the difficulty of a big Tour, Victor Lafay (24 years old), showed great performance in the mountains and in the hilly stages. Emmanuel Morin (25 years old), showed his good form in the sprint: after having finished 9th in the 4th stage, he took a prestigious 5th place this Sunday evening in Madrid.
Pierre-Luc Périchon and the Spaniards José Herrada and Luis Angel Maté were also particularly helpful, especially to support their leader, Guillaume Martin. It should be noted that Luis Angel Maté was on his last day of racing this Sunday with Cofidis team, he has been supporting the riders of the northern team for the last ten seasons.
Martin, 6 'top 10', 7 breakaways and 1 distinctive jersey
Guillaume Martin, who had finished best Frenchman of the last Tour de France, did justice to his ranking. Very often, the rider from Normandy was a very good animator of the race. He has been in 7 breakaways, has signed 6 'top 10', and has been named 4 times the most competitive rider of the race, but most of all, he successfully won and kept the polka-dot jersey of best climber.
Since last Thursday and the 15th stage, he was sure to keep it all the way to Madrid. All the efforts made by the riders allowed Cofidis to finish in a more than honourable 6th place in the team classification.
A jersey that brings back beautiful memories
Guillaume Martin thus continues to write the beautiful story of the Cofidis team at the Vuelta. Before him, Nicolas Edet (in 2013) and especially David Moncoutié (in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011) managed to keep this jersey until Madrid. They are really pleased to see Guillaume following in their footsteps (see below).
The images of the team leader climbing on the final podium in the Spanish capital thus complete this very special 2020 season. All the riders and the staff are already looking forward to the next season with the desire to do their best to honour the colours of Cofidis once again.
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