Team cofidis

It was a big damper for it Cofidis Prior to the second stage of the Tour de France 2025. The French team turned out to be the victim of bicycle theft. No fewer than eleven bicycles were taken, but these are now justified. Team boss Cédric Vasseur is relieved, but also sees a bigger problem.

The bikes were stolen in a hotel in Bondues, where the French formation was staying in the run-up to the second stage towards Boulogne-sur-Mer. “On Saturday evening, the team fell victim to a burglary,” wrote Cofidis On social media. “The thieves managed to force the door of our truck and eleven of our look bicycles were stolen, despite the safety measures taken.”

Cofidis Then called in the police, although five bicycles were quickly found in the bushes near the hotel. On Monday it was announced that the remaining six bicycles are now also justified, but that does not remove the fear of theft in the Tourpeloton.

“A threat to all teams”
“Specialized bicycle thieves are active,” explains Cofidis-Baas Vasseur in conversation with the NOS. “There is a black market for it. We have looked at whether we could find the bikes on the internet. The people they steal do not cycle themselves. They want to earn money. It is a threat to all teams in the Tour de France. We have to be very careful. “

It is not the first time that a team in the Tour de France has to deal with this: Total energy Was in the same boat last year. Since then, the ASO has been working with special night security guards, but this system is therefore not watertight.

Vasseur further shares his own security. “Security was already important for us. We had put cars and small vans in front of the truck, but last night we put all the cars around it so that no one could access it. We will do that in the future of the Tour de France have to keep doing. “