In a significant development for the Cofidis women’s team, 34-year-old Mélanie Briot has stepped into the role of Sports Director for the Cofidis women’s team for the upcoming season. Cédric Vasseur, the team’s Sports Manager, hailed her appointment as a landmark for diversity within the sport. Vasseur, who has known Briot for several years, praised not only her human qualities but also her rich experience and dedicated passion for women’s cycling. The duo’s ambition doesn’t stop here; Vasseur affirmed that the Cofidis team aims to continue its upward trajectory, having closed the 2023 season leading the Continental team rankings and secured themselves guaranteed race invites to the biggest events for the 2024 season.
Briot, who couldn’t resist when Vasseur offered her the role, has her eyes fixed firmly on the UCI World Tour, describing it as the high-water mark to which the team aspires. She emphasised the importance of team unity, stating that she was keen to ‘unite around her speech’ to ensure both riders and staff pull in the same direction. Already pleased by the evident team cohesion, Briot sees it as a significant advantage for the challenges that lie ahead.
Her love for cycling is well-documented. Having participated in the sport until 2016, Briot holds a Masters degree and a state certificate in ‘Cycling activities’. She honed her skills in logistics and team management with amateur teams before making a name for herself with the Arkéa team last season.
Arthur Quilliec, who is familiar with the Cofidis setup, will assist Briot in her new role. The leadership hopes that this new dynamic will serve as a catalyst, helping the team make the leap to the next level.
