The first card of the house of cards has fallen. It only remains to see if the rest falls apart… Audrey Cordon-Ragot (33 years old), the star runner of the Zaaf, has decided to leave the Spanish squad after three months without receiving her salary, as a result of the non-payments in which the team has been involved since the beginning of the season. This was confirmed by sources from the French newspaper West France that in turn they corroborated the situation of the French woman to AS, which until days ago was the flagship of this project born at the beginning of the year.
“I don’t want to hear about this team again (Zaaf)”, confessed the one from Pontivy, whose change of scenery from Trek-Segafredo, one of the most powerful blocks of the world elite in which he was a member of the last four courses, has not suited him at all. In addition, Cordon-Ragot had an exciting start to the calendar, being one of the cyclists who were contributing the most points to the Zaaf thanks to their respectable results in races such as the Clásica de Almería (3rd), Vuelta CV Féminas (6th), Omloop van het Hageland (3rd), Le Samyn (4th) and Tour de Normandy (4th).
Due to current regulations, the departure of the Zaaf implies that Cordon-Ragot run out of a World Tour team until at least June 1, date from which he could sign again for a team of the world elite. Yes, he is free to sign for a Continental category team (he can also compete with the French team) but as sources familiar with the case confirm to AS, it does not seem that this is going to be his intention. “In the meantime, to maintain shape and physical condition, we are going to compete with Lucie (Jounier, one of her ex-partners) and with the boys in open events,” he concluded in West France a Cordon-Ragot that already ran with men last Saturday in the Job Morvan Trophy. We will see if this triggers a massive leak in a Zaaf that, for now, continues with those assumptions. logistical problems that block the money in your account banking. Time, and patience, are running out…