French rider considers Cofidis a possible option

Thomas VoecklerTour de France stage winner and French national champion Thomas Voeckler has expressed frustration with a further delay in learning whether or not the BBox Bouygues Telecom team will continue.

The squad has been searching for a replacement sponsor for much of this year but nothing has yet been found. General manager Jean-René Bernaudeau had indicated that one company was interested and a final decision would come today, but now it appears it will be Monday before that is known.

The news of the further wait was transmitted by RMC Sport, which indicated that it had learned of the delay.

It quoted start rider Voeckler as saying he was running out of patience, and had the possibility of racing for other teams.

“I went to see Jean-René to his office this afternoon to take stock of the situation and to inform him of my situation too,” he said, according to RMC. “I explained to him that I was in advanced contact with several teams. […]Anyway, it will be necessary that I make up my mind about my future and I don’t want to give preference to one team or another without making a point with Jean-René.”

Voeckler has been racing for the entirety of his ten year pro career for the team and its previous incarnation, Bonjour. Moving on would be a big step for the 31 year old, and he has waited as long as possible. He’s likely to give Bernaudeau until Monday, but is preparing things in case he has to move.

He was asked about Cofidis as a possible destination, and said that it is something that might well interest him. “Clearly an interesting option. I could discuss that with Eric Boyer, manager of the team,” he answered.

Bernaudeau has been searching for a new sponsor for several months. He told L’Equipe yesterday that today would be the last chance for the team. “I have only one option, the negotiations are completed. I now await the response. By Friday evening things will be determined,” he said.

It now seems his riders must endure a further three days before finding out if they will have a place for 2011. The team has been very successful this year, yet finding another company willing to step in has been much harder than expected.