After winning four stages and points classification in the 2014 edition of the Giro d’Italia, Nacer Bouhanni emphasized his intentions to return to the Italian three-week event next year while attending the official route presentation in Milan on Monday. This means that one more player will emerge in a battle for wildcard invitations, as the 24-year old Frenchman will ride for Pro Continental Cofidis from next season.

French-based Cofidis was never a serious contender in a fight for a Giro d’Italia wildcard invitations, as appearance in the Tour de France was one of their main objectives, usually followed by participation in the Vualta a Espana.

This may chance next year, however, as their top sprinter for the next seasom – expected to transform Cofidis into a victorious again - confirmed his intention to participate in the Italian Grand Tour.

“I’ve changed team, I’ll be at Cofidis next year and we’ll be relying on a wildcard invitation to get in, but hopefully we get there. I see a few chances for sprinters in there,” Bouhanni confirmed during the 2015 Giro d'Italia Route presentation.

Thus, the French Pro Continental team will join such outfits as Androni-Venezuela, Bardiani CSF, Neri Sottoli, Nippo – Vini Fantini, UnitedHealthcare, MTN Qhubeka, Team Colombia, IAM  Cycling and Bora in a battle for only 4 wildcard invitations, to be granted in January.