Initially absent from the selection, Benoît Cosnefroy will finally be part of the French cycling team which will defend the world title of Julian Alaphilippe in Australia on Sunday, we learned on Monday from sources close to the management.
This turnaround offers an additional card to coach Thomas Voeckler, especially since the Norman puncher is in great shape, as shown by his recent victory at the Grand Prix de Québec on a course similar to that of the Worlds disputed in Wollongong on the coast. east of Australia.
When questioned, Voeckler referred to the press conference he was to hold on Wednesday and did not want to confirm the arrival of the AG2R-Citroën rider, whom AFP learned from several sources close to the team's management. of France, confirming information from the Team.
The Normand must land Monday evening in Sydney, 80 kilometers north of Wollongong, shortly before the rest of the runners entered in the road race.
Cosnefroy, whose selection is not discussed on the sporting level, did not appear in the selection announced on September 13 after having warned Voeckler in June that he preferred to ignore these World Championships.
But he has remained in contact with the coach since his resounding victory in Canada where he notably beat the Belgian Wout van Aert.
The arrival of the 26-year-old Norman rider means that one of the planned selections will have to give up his place for Sunday's race.
It could be Bruno Armirail or Rémi Cavagna, already on site in Wollongong where they participated in the time trial on Sunday, finishing in 10th and 11th place respectively.