Thomas Voeckler News Update
Thomas Voeckler upset with sports director’s dangerous behavior
Thomas Voeckler, a consultant for France Télévisions during the Tour de France, expressed his frustration with a sports director’s dangerous behavior. Voeckler, who follows the race closely on a motorcycle, recounted an incident where a sports director nearly caused an accident with his car. He specifically mentioned the director from the Uno-X Mobility team, criticizing his actions as unfair and dangerous. Voeckler, who is also the coach of the French national cycling team, emphasized that such incidents are part of the challenges faced during major events like the Tour de France. He concluded by saying that the Tour is long, and there will be opportunities to address the issue.
During cycling races, cyclists face several risks related to team cars and journalist motorbikes. Let’s explore these risks:
- Communication Risks with Team Cars:
- Cyclists use two-way radio communication with the sports director in the team car. They wear an earpiece to receive instructions and updates during the race.
- However, communication is limited to the entire team at once. The sports director cannot communicate individually with each cyclist.
- If a rider is dropped from the main group, they may still receive information intended for those at the front of the race, which can be distracting.
- Wind noise can interfere with clear communication over the radio.
2. Team Car Interactions:
- Cyclists need to physically get to the team car for specific instructions or assistance. This involves riding alongside the moving car, which can be risky.
- During this interaction, cyclists must maintain focus on the road and avoid collisions with other riders or obstacles.
3. Journalist Motorbikes:
- Motorbikes carrying journalists often follow the race closely to capture footage.
- Risks include:
- Proximity: Motorbikes can get very close to cyclists, increasing the chances of accidental contact or collisions.
- Sudden Stops or Maneuvers: Motorbikes may stop abruptly to capture shots, posing a hazard to cyclists behind them.
- Distraction: Cyclists may become distracted by the presence of motorbikes, affecting their concentration on the race.
- Obstructed View: Motorbikes can block the view of other riders or obstacles ahead, leading to potential crashes.
4. General Risks:
- Cyclists face risks from moving vehicles (cars, trucks, buses) on open roads during races.
- These risks include close passes, sudden lane changes, and potential accidents due to traffic.
- Cyclists must constantly assess their surroundings and react quickly to avoid collisions.
Interview with Thomas Voeckler
French cyclist Thomas Voeckler has said that he is not ruling out any possibility for his future career (currently the national coach of France). The 35-year-old, who has spent his entire career with Team Europcar, shares his experiences as the Selection Coach of the French cycling team since 2019.
Voeckler reflects on how the team has achieved success despite setbacks and challenges. He highlights the importance of teamwork and unity in achieving success, citing their impressive performance in the tournaments of 2021 and 2024.
Voeckler acknowledges that the French team is facing a challenge in participating in the 2024 Olympics, where they will have only four riders, but he hopes that this will not affect their performance. Overall, Voeckler expresses his optimism and determination to continue working with the team towards achieving greater success.
Thomas Voeckler reviewed recent cycling races, specifically the Vuelta a España. He highlights the unusual nature of the race with its three yellow jersey winners, which were far above the competition.
Voeckler discusses the possibility of Pogacar, Van Aert, and Vogel changing teams, but expresses his doubt about their innocence. He also reflects on the dominance of these riders on the Tour d’España, which does not greatly impress him.
Voeckler discusses his opinion that the absence of Pogacar and Van Aert on the Tour de France does not greatly impact one’s ability to determine the best riders.
Voeckler About Julian Alaphilippe
Voeckler, remains confident in Julian Alaphilippe’s ability to return to his best despite a difficult 2023 season.
“Julian Alaphilippe is not 36 years old either and it hasn’t been that long since he was one of the best riders in the world,” Voeckler said. “I don’t know if he will return to the domination that was his, but he is in any case capable, and without any problem, of being much better than he was in 2023.”
Voeckler believes that Alaphilippe’s 2023 season was simply a blip on the radar for a rider who is still in his prime.
“After a truncated year like 2022, it takes time to get back to your best level,” Voeckler said. “He has the talent and the experience to get back to his best, and I’m confident that he will do so in 2024.”
Thomas Voeckler Cycling History
Thomas Voeckler is a French former professional road racing cyclist who competed between 2001 and 2017. He was known for his aggressive racing style and his ability to win stages from breakaways. Voeckler won four stages of the Tour de France, wore the yellow jersey for 20 days, and was twice French National Road Race Champion.
Voeckler was born in Schiltigheim, Alsace, France, on June 22, 1979. He grew up in Martinique, where he began cycling at the age of 12. He moved back to France in 1998 to pursue a career in cycling.
Voeckler turned professional in 2001 with the Bonjour team. He won his first professional race, the Tour du Haut Poitou-Charentes, in 2003.
Voeckler’s breakthrough came in the 2004 Tour de France. He won stage 5 and took the yellow jersey. He held the jersey for 10 days before losing it to Lance Armstrong on stage 16.
Voeckler continued to be a successful rider in the years that followed. He won two more stages of the Tour de France in 2009 and 2011. He also won the polka dot jersey for the best climber in the 2012 Tour de France.
Voeckler retired from professional cycling as a rider in 2017. He is currently the Selection Coach of France National Racing Team.
Thomas Voeckler’s major achievements
- 4 stages of the Tour de France
- 20 days in the yellow jersey
- 2 French National Road Race Championships
- 1 polka dot jersey for the best climber in the Tour de France
- 45 wins in total
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