Eritrean star Daniel Teklehaimanot lands late contract with Cofidis

Double Critérium du Dauphiné mountains classification winner Daniel Teklehaimanot finally gets a pro contract after departing Dimension Data at end of 2017

Daniel Teklehaimanot.
(Image credit: Yuzuru Sunada)

Daniel Teklehaimanot has finally landed a contract for the 2018 season, with French team Cofidis announcing his signing on Friday.

The 29-year-old Eritrean climber was left stranded without a ride at the end of 2017 when his contract with Dimension Data ended. While other riders attended their new team training camps, Teklehaimanot was still hunting for a squad.

Fan favourite Daniel Teklehaimanot on stage eight of the 2015 Tour de France. Photo: Yuzuru Sunada
(Image credit: Yuzuru Sunada)

Teklehaimanot rose to fame with the MTN-Qhubeka/Dimension Data squad, where he won the mountains classification at the prestigious Critérium du Dauphiné stage race in 2015 before going on to spend time in the polka-dot jersey of best climber at that year's Tour de France – his Tour debut.

The following year, he again won the mountains classification at the Dauphiné but did not make such an impact on the Tour. Nevertheless, he attracted huge support from Eritrean fans, who cheered on their star in great numbers.

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In 2017, Teklehaimanot started the Giro d'Italia for the first time and wore the mountain classification leader's jersey after stages two and three.

UCI Professional Continental team Cofidis is not going to waste any time in starting Teklehaimanot, as he will replace an ill Geoffrey Soupe in the squad's line-up for the Dubai Tour, starting on February 6.

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After announcing the signing on Twitter, Cofidis general manager Cedric Vasseur said: "We have just recruited a WorldTour rider, I am sure his qualities as a climber and attacker will allow the team to gain a new level."

Tour de France organiser ASO confirmed in early January that Cofidis had been handed wildcard spots in its three big stage races: the Tour itself, the Dauphiné and Paris-Nice. Plenty of opportunities for Teklehaimanot.

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Nigel Wynn
Former Associate Editor

Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, n exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.