Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
UAE Team Emirates-XRG will field a competitive and experienced squad at the Boucles de la Mayenne, with the Emirati team targeting stage wins and a strong showing in the general classification at the four-day French 2.Pro event.
The race, which begins with a prologue on Thursday, marks the team's return to the Mayenne department after a two-year absence. Alongside UAE Team Emirates-XRG, 11 other teams will line up, promising intense competition across the prologue and three road stages.
Benoit Cosnefroy and Sebastian Molano will lead the squad, supported by Luca Giaimi, Julius Johansen, Ivo Oliveira and Rui Oliveira.
Cosnefroy, a two-time runner-up at the Boucles de la Mayenne, brings valuable experience to the race. The Frenchman secured a stage victory in the 2024 prologue, narrowly beating his now-teammate Ivo Oliveira, and will once again fancy his chances on the opening day, which suits his strength as a puncheur.
Fresh from a strong run of form that included a stage win at the Tour de Hongrie earlier this month, Cosnefroy expressed confidence ahead of the race. "Boucles de la Mayenne is a race I've ridden many times and know very well. Personally, it's been a very positive couple of months of racing and I hope to continue that," he said.
"Our team is strong – already for the Prologue on day one we have a number of riders who can go for the win. I've been second in the GC here twice in the past and it would be nice to win or to do it with one of my teammates."
The race is often decided by small margins, frequently a matter of bonus seconds. Last year's edition was won by Aaron Gate of XDS Astana Team, with Cosnefroy finishing fifth, just seven seconds adrift. Given the tight nature of the general classification battle, UAE Team Emirates-XRG will be eager to add to their tally of stage victories at the event.
With a balanced squad capable of performing both on the punchy prologue and over the undulating roads that follow, the Emirati team will be well positioned to challenge for honours throughout the 51st edition of the Boucles de la Mayenne.
