After five years at Giant-Alpecin, Christian Guiberteau is back in France. Two months after his contract with the German team expired, he has joined Cofidis where he will continue his role as sports director.

Shortly after last week’s official announcement of his arrival at Nacer Bouhanni’s team,  Guiberteau spoke to Cyclism'Actu to explain how he plans to use his experience of working with sprinters to improve the lead-out train of the French team

“After the end of my contract with Giant-Alpecin, I quickly left a message to [Cofidis manager] Yvon Sanquer,” he told the French site. “Cofidis is a team that interested me. It took a bit of time as there are things that must be studied and considered. Today we have finalized things and I am very happy to join a team that I think has great potential. I hope to bring my contribution to the building by integrating gradually into the group. I will arrive during the early season and we will refine the details along the way.

“When I heard officially that the cooperation with Giant stopped, just after the Tour of Lombardy, I left a message. The end of my contract was announced in the press a bit later. I made the approach quickly so they knew that I was on the market.”

Many were surprised that Guiberteau left Giant-Alpecin but he leaves the German team on good terms.

“These are things that happen,” he said. “It's been a long time as we have been working together for 5 years. I had a wonderful experience. We had very good cooperation but perhaps we had both reached the end of things. Anyway, I have had a great time with them and I keep positive memories. Now I want to start a new challenge and continue straight ahead as I have often done. I like to be part of long-term projects and that is what interests me.

”But first I must of course fit in and start things step by step but also adapt to their way of doing things. I do not intend to work from day to day.”

Guiberteau arrives in a team that has undergone a lot of changes. For 2015, the team signed Bouhanni and turned into a sprint squad. However, the first year with the new focus was only partly successful.

“I can bring small things to the team and change some stuff,” Guiberteau said. “We'll look at this with the other sports directors and riders when I meet them. I especially hope to bring my experience and it will help the Cofidis team.

“The only objective for now is to integrate myself properly and work together. I have no personal goals but of course everyone wants to have results. I'm not one to make big announcements though. The sports world is so complicated sometimes. First I want to work on simple but sharp things. I do not necessarily aim for concrete results as I also want to do substantial work which is not seen immediately but which works a few years later. I must remain cautious, continuing the work already done.”

Guiberteau has worked with Marcel Kittel and John Degenkolb and will now use that experience to support Bouhanni.

“Nacer already has a very good level,” he said. “I'll maybe just give him things that can make him more confident but without making a copy and paste because it never works. You have to adapt to the culture and atmosphere which is always different. But it is clear that Nacer and I will have the opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas, also with the rest of the group. We'll see which things we can implement.

”I know the names of many riders but obviously I must now get to know them individually. There will be a period of integration. I know Jonas Ahlstrand as I was responsible for his training when he was at Giant. It's always the same: You go to those that you know a little more and gradually you get to know others.”