Buchmann Examines Former Team Intensely
In an exclusive interview with the Munich Evening News, Emanuel Buchmann, the captain of the French Cofidis team, has shared his thoughts ahead of the 112th Tour de France. The German cyclist, who is currently competing in this year's race, believes he could have had a shot at the podium in 2020 but was left disappointed.
Buchmann's last two years with Team Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe were not happy times for him. He attributes his inability to replicate his 2019 near-podium finish to bad luck with crashes and illnesses at the wrong times. The unpredictable nature of Tadej Pogacar's riding style, which has been a major factor in the Slovenian's success, is something Buchmann acknowledges.
During his last year with Bora-hansgrohe, the atmosphere was not great, and Buchmann admits he had little fun. He extended his contract with the team for three years in 2021, but in hindsight, he wishes he had switched teams two years earlier. Buchmann has spoken out with harsh words against his former team, expressing feelings of being "grossly taken advantage of."
The specific reasons for Buchmann's regret and feelings about the contract extension with Bora-hansgrohe are not clear from current available data. However, it is common for professional cyclists to regret contract extensions due to various factors such as team dynamics, leadership changes, or personal growth.
Despite the challenges of the past, Buchmann is determined to make a strong showing in this year's Tour de France. As he competes for Team Cofidis, he looks back on his 2019 Tour de France performance fondly and is hopeful that he can replicate that success this year.
This article is based on information from ntv.de and tno/sid. Buchmann had a near-podium finish in the 2019 Tour de France and was initially not selected for the Giro in an unspecified year, which upset him. The Tour de France is a prestigious annual cycling race held in France, attracting the world's top cyclists and drawing millions of spectators.
Other sports, like cycling, are not the only ones that Buchmann is passionate about, as he has expressed a desire to diversify his athletic pursuits in the future. Despite his disappointment with his contract extension with Bora-hansgrohe, Buchmann remains dedicated to excelling in sports, particularly cycling, with the Tour de France being a notable highlight of his career.
