French sprinter Bryan Coquard looks set to be withdrawn from La Vuelta by his Cofidis team so he can ride smaller races in search of more points to keep the team in the World Tour.
The development highlights the disparity in how points are awarded, with taking placings in small races worth much more to teams than racing in Grand Tours.
At present Lotto Soudal and Israel-Premier Tech are in the relegation drop zone. It means they would go down to ProContinental level are remain there for the next three years, with Alpecin-Deceuninck and Arkéa Samsic being promoted into the World Tour in their place.
While Cofidis is not in the drop zone, it is very close to it along with several other teams, including Movistar and BikeExchange, EF Education-EasyPost.
Advertisement
Related News
Because of that, Cofidis still face the prospect if being relegated and because Coquard is a banker to win or securing placings in smaller races due to his sprint, the team looks set to take him out of La Vuelta.
His teammate Davide Cimolai told Italian site Bici.PRO "the points system is a disgrace", adding Coquard was leaving the Spanish Grand Tour.
"Friday, Coquard will go home to participate in other competitions," he said. “We have to score points, but I think it's ridiculous. It causes a lot of stress all year round. The paradox of the situation is that much more points can be earned in small matches.
“Last year, for example, with a third place in a stage in the Tirreno and two second places in stages in the Giro d'Italia, I took around 100 points, while other riders took 125 points by winning one small race.”
Cimolai voiced his displeasure at the way a rider would be pulled from a Grand Tour for smaller races but suggested the team had little choice.
“I'm not happy about it, but I understand the team," he said. The goal is to stay in the WorldTour, and even if we stay calm it will be a challenge. I didn't expect the year to go like this, but I'm keeping my mouth shut and doing my job."
