On Friday evening, Direct Energie, the new team of Jean-René Bernaudeau, was officially presented on the Champs Elysees in Paris. Prior to the event, Wieler Revue taled to one of the stalwarts of the team: Thomas Voeckler.

The 36-year-old rider who was the figurehead of French cycling for years, hopes for a nice end of his career. He also sens a message to Cannondale manager Jonathan Vaughters who has claimed that he new signing Pierre Rolland had trained like someone from the seventies while riding for Bernaudeau.

"Let me first say that I think our squad is actually behind the bigger teams in the peloton in terms of training methods, and I especially think of Sky, as well as Cannondale. That is a matter of budget. On that area, we cannot follow those teams, but I think Vaughters would have liked to have had our results in the Tour de France. They do not lie, and we are very proud of that.”

While Rolland and Cyril Gautier decided to leave, Voeckler remained loyal to Bernaudeau: "It was a relief when it was clear that we could still go on together because I have worked with Jean-René all my cycling life. There were other options, but I have always been loyal. I am now at an age where I do not feel motivated for another transfer. Five years ago maybe, but not now.”