Cédrine Kerbaol, one of many breakout riders of the 2024 Tour de France Femmes, has signed with EF-Oatly-Cannondale after terminating her contract with Ceratizit-WNT a yr early.
“This crew was one thing I used to be all the time fascinated with,” Kerbaol mentioned in a press release. “There are plenty of sturdy riders right here so I’m coming with expectations of doing large issues with the crew.”
The 23-year-old French girl is one of the crucial promising abilities within the peloton. A real all-rounder, Kerbaol is a former U23 and elite French nationwide time trial champion, a robust climber and a talented descender. In 2023, she was the perfect younger rider on the Tour de France Femmes and netted a silver medal on the U23 particular person time trial world championships. This yr, she constructed on her success by profitable Vuelta CV Feminas, Durango-Durango, Chrono Roland Bouge, and closed out her season with a solo victory at Tre Valli Varesine.
She additionally delivered France its first-ever stage win within the Tour de France Femmes after a well-timed assault and masterclass descent into Morteau on stage 6. Together with her stage win, Kerbaol moved into second place within the basic classification because the Tour headed into the Alps for the ultimate two days of racing. Though she misplaced time on the mountainous Stage 7, she returned as a key contender on the ultimate day, fearlessly descending the Col du Glandon and showcasing her all-around power by ending sixth on the stage and within the total when the Tour concluded atop the Alpe d’Huez.
“Lengthy, solitary efforts like a time trial or a breakaway are my principal power on the bike. That’s how I prefer to race. I’m a robust climber and, one thing I wouldn’t essentially have mentioned up to now, a robust descender too. “I attempt to be balanced. I attempt to be a little bit of every part,” Kerbaol mentioned.
Kerboal was on contract with Ceratizit-WNT by the top of 2025, however when the crew didn’t submit its WorldTour purposes in time, Kerbaol was legally allowed to welcome different provides and break her contract.
Ceratizit-WNT launched a press release explaining that the applying mishap was a mere “administrative delay” and that the crew is “after all dissatisfied” to see Kerbaol go.
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“Naturally, we’re dissatisfied to see Cédrine depart on this method however we respect her resolution and need her all the perfect for the highway forward,” commented Claude Solar, Ceratizit-WNT crew supervisor.
“As a crew, we will look proudly again on our most profitable season in our historical past, one which spans 10 years now since our beginnings again within the UK. We glance forward with pleasure to our eleventh season in 2025 and our second within the World Tour, welcoming a number of proficient younger riders as a part of a new-look crew.”
After profitable the white younger rider jersey in 2023 and a stage in 2024, Kerboal has excessive hopes for the Tour de France Femmes in 2025.
“I like the Tour de France Femmes and subsequent yr the second stage begins in my hometown. I used to be born in Brest in order that’s a extremely, actually large goal I’m wanting ahead to,” she mentioned.
“My goals are what inspire me. I prefer to maintain my goals to myself however I need to be the perfect rider I might be so I’m all the time in search of one of the simplest ways to get there and, after all, to even have enjoyable.”
EF-Oatly-Cannondale’s basic supervisor Esra Tromp expressed pleasure in regards to the new signee, stating that Kerboal suits in effectively with the crew’s DNA.
“Her model of using is precisely how we need to race. It’s thrilling to observe how she is going to danger dropping with the intention to give her all for a outcome,” Tromp mentioned.
“She is a powerful rider and nonetheless fairly younger. We each have large ambitions and I’m assured that we’ll develop and obtain collectively. Cédrine’s power and flexibility make her the best rider to finish our 2025 roster.”
