2023-08-01 15:16:48
The debut of Arkéa-Samsic in the World Tour category of cycling has not gone as expected. After having ruled out Nairo Quintana for the tramadol case that broke out at the end of 2022, the French lineup has suffered to obtain the points that the Colombian assured them in the three seasons that he defended those colors.
At the end of 2022, when they were celebrating their promotion to the World Tour, the team’s general manager, Emmanuel Hubert, singled out all the riders on the roster, but forgot to mention Nairo, who was the key to achieving that goal.
Nairo Quintana had signed the renewal with Arkéa before being punished by the UCI. | Photo: 2021 Getty Images
In addition to the boyacense, Arkéa took out all the Colombians and gambled for runners of European nationality, a strategy that has not worked in the slightest this season.
Hubert delved into Nairo’s wound by washing his hands over the problem with the alleged use of tramadol. “He has the right to the presumption of innocence. Now it’s your problem. We are no longer bound by contract. Quintana’s page has been turned, ”he said in statements that made his position clear in the face of the UCI accusations.
Nairo Quintana defended the colors of Arkéa-Samsic for three years. | Photo: 2022 Getty Images
Arkéa ranks in the UCI ranking
Above the Briton lineup are two teams that were relegated last year: Israel PremierTech, which is in 17th position, and Lotto Dstny, which has caused a surprise this season and is tenth, above teams with big names such as Movistar or EF Education EasyPost.
Faced with the mandatory need to score points, Arkéa-Samsic had to make the decision to enter the market and sign a top sprinter, something they never did when Nairo was on the team.
Arnaud Démare, three times French national champion, leaves Groupama-FDJ with immediate effect and lands at the Arkéa to seek the stage victories that are crying out for him.
The 31-year-old sprinter, who won 3 stage victories last year and the cycling jersey in the Giro d’Italia, ended up in disagreements with the Groupama leadership and preferred to negotiate the termination of the contract to seek new life following 12 years.
Arnaud Démare, undisputed leader of the ‘maglia ciclamino’ in the Giro 2022. | Photo: LaPresse
“I signed up for the 2024 and 2025 seasons at ARKEA-B&B HOTELS, but I had the possibility to terminate my contract by mutual agreement with Groupama-FDJ to join the Arkéa-Samsic team and be able to compete with this structure at the end of the 2023 season, as of August 1”, confirmed Démare.
In that order of ideas, Arkéa will have to change its strategy from a team that points to the mountains to another interested in reaching the sprint with options. “This is the best thing that might have happened to me to turn the page quickly and project myself into the future. I am looking forward to the Arkéa-Samsic team starting this season finale. I am opening a new chapter in my career, within a group that believes in me and motivates me”, he completed.
Hubert added in this regard that “Arnaud is one of the best sprinters in the world, and he has a solid career, already 93 successes, he will bring his charisma, his aura to our squad, and very soon he will have to affirm his desire to make our colors shine in the races that he will play with us at the end of the season”.
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