Stagiaire Roundup

It is that time of year again and in just one month, a lucky few young cyclists will get the opportunity to race amongst the highest level. Stagiaire announcements are coming thick & fast with the French once again being the first out of the gate but the Belgians are hugging their wheel.

FDJ - David Gaudu and Léo Vincent

.@DavidGaudu et Leo Vincent rejoindront l'équipe en tant que stagiaires à partir du 1er août ! pic.twitter.com/QSjPLvmv2E

— Equipe FDJ (@EquipeFDJ) June 29, 2016

David Gaudu (Côtes d'Armor) is going to be a rider that many will be surprised to see. If he is able to make a clean transition, the repetitive attacking quality that Gaudu has it pretty incredible.  The opening stage of the Ronde de l'Isard was the perfect showing of this. On the final climb to Goulier Neige, Gaudu kept poking and proding, launching multiple attacks even when they were probably not in the best spot. Gaudu launched late on the climb and then came back for the sprint and managed a 2nd place against guys who he had to chase his tiny frame for the last half hour. A wily French climber showing himself in the mountains? The crowds will go nuts.

Leo Vincent (CC Etupes) was a rider last year that was a specialist for stage wins and crazy attacks. This year, it is a bit of a different story. Vincent has turned his sights towards the GC and has taken high GC spots in the Ronde de l'Isard, Pays de Savoie and the Tour du Jura, which he won.

Both riders were associated with the FDJ Foundation, which supports a few number of riders from various teams and usually selects their neo-pros from there, ala Odd Eiking.

Lotto-Belisol - James Shaw, Kevin Deltombe & Michael Goolaerts

Deltombe just broke his collarbone so he will need July to heal up and hopefully give him time so he can race with the pros

more to follow...

Ag2r - La Mondiale - Benoit Cosnefroy, Remy Rochas and Etienne Fabre

more to follow...

Movistar - Richie Carapaz (??)

Carapaz moved to Lizarte halfway through the year and this team has moved a good amount of riders to Movistar. I have heard through the grapevine that Carapaz looks set for stagiaire with Movistar this year but nothing has been announced. Four wins in Spain will have many people looking around, that is for certain.

Orica-Bike Exchange - Nick Schultz (one source in veloclub.net)

After a couple of years in France with CR4C Roanne, Schultz joined SEG Racing this year and over the last  two and a half months has hit a torrid stretch of four top 10 overalls including a stage win at Tour de Bretagne. His climbing has come around this year and while he isn't at the point of being an overall contender in the high mountains, he can hold his own for a while.

Caja Rural - Jon Irisarri

Irisarri has already signed a contract with Caja Rural for next year after moving up from their amateur team.

more to follow...

Delko - Marseille Provence - Sofiane Merignat & Ronald Yueng(??)

Yueng was said to be joining Delko way back in January but mid-way through March, he signed with Chinese team Wisdom-Hengxiang so is this deal still on the table? Doubtful but we shall see.

more to follow...

Roubaix - Métropole - Pierre Barbier & Dylan Kowalski

Brothers of Roubaix alums in Rudy Barbier (still on team) and ex-pro Rudy Kowalski

more to follow...