It had been coming for some time, but now Picnic PostNL has also shared the arrival of Alexy Faure-Prost with the outside world. The 21-year-old Frenchman comes from Intermarché-Wanty, where he rode for two seasons. Faure-Prost signs a one-year contract with the Dutch team.
Faure-Prost has long been regarded as one of the most promising French climbers. After successful periods at the junior and under-23 levels, he got the chance to turn professional with Intermarché-Wanty. The Frenchman started his pro career promisingly: he immediately finished tenth in the overall classification of the Tour of Oman. However, Faure-Prost was unable to confirm this form afterward – mainly due to physical setbacks.
Still, the management of Picnic PostNL has a lot of confidence in the young rider. "I’m really looking forward to starting a new chapter at Team Picnic PostNL," the signing said on his new employer’s website. "From the outside, I already saw that this is a structure that fits me, and the discussions only confirmed that. I feel that the team can bring out the best in me."
"After a few difficult years with injuries and health problems, I feel good again and most of all hungry. Cycling is my passion and my job, so I want to give 100 percent every day, whether it’s for my own chances or to help a teammate to victory. In the coming years, I want to grow back to my top level and be competitive, like in my first U23 season."
Kemna is very enthusiastic
Head coach Rudi Kemna is extremely enthusiastic: "Alexy is an exceptional climbing and GC talent. We have followed him since his junior days and have seen how quickly he developed. In recent years he has faced some setbacks, but he has a strong character and will get the chance for a fresh start with us. He is still young, but we fully believe in his potential."
"Next year we will focus on a stable progression: Alexy will support our best climbers in the major races, while also getting his own chances in smaller stage races to discover how far he can go."
