Team Cofidis rider Nacer Bouhani made his team's goal for the 2017 Tour de France clear at a press conference the day before the race's 104th edition begins its Grand Depart from Düsseldorf, Germany.
Bouhani stated that Team Cofidis's goal for this year's Tour will be "to win a stage".
The French-based Team Cofidis is one of four UCI Pro Continental, a step below the WorldTour level, teams who received a wildcard invite to the Tour de France this year. Two of the other Pro Continental teams selected for this year's Tour are based in France as well, which includes Team Direct Energie and Fortuneo-Vital Concept. The other Pro Continental team accepted was the Belgian squad, Wanty-Groupe Gobert. Wanty-Groupe Gobert is the only Pro Continental squad competing in this year's edition of the Tour de France that did not compete at the race last year.
Nacer Bouhani has become the unequivocal centerpiece for Team Cofidis since signing with the squad in 2015 after riding with the FDJ team from 2011-2014.
The French rider had a breakout season in 2014, capturing three stage victories and winning the points classification title at the Giro d'Italia, as well as taking two stages at the Vuelta a Espana.
While Bouhani has yet to win a coveted stage at the Tour de France, 2017 could be the year to do it, with no clear favorite to win the Maillot Jaune and nine sprinter-friendly stages that will play to Bouhani's strengths.
Team Cofidis will likely have a strong contingent of support in their home country of France, and Bouhani's teammates will no doubt be looking to support him in the lead-outs of stages finishing with a bunch sprint.
Nothing is ever guaranteed in cycling, especially at the Tour de France, but the 104th edition of the Tour appears to be shaping up as the year Nacer Bouhani could help Team Cofidis reach their goal of capturing a stage at the Tour de France.
Team Cofidis's 2017 Tour de France squad will include Nacer Bouhani, Florian Senechal, Julien Simon, Nicolas Edet, Dimitri Claeys, Christopher LaPorte, Luis Angel Mate, Daniel Navarro, and Cyril Lemoine.
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