After a robust third place on stage 2 of Tour de l’Ain, his first race as a stagiaire with Cofidis, Jamie Meehan signed a three-year skilled contract with the French WorldTour crew.
The Irish U23 street race champion claimed his first podium in his first race with Cofidis, profitable the dash from a seven-rider chase group within the Jura mountains. He in the end completed 14th general and third in the most effective younger rider classification on the finish of the three-day stage race.
The Cofidis team said in a release that “these exceptional performances go hand in hand with his ability to adapt very quickly to the team’s operations. In the wake of this, the sporting management, led by Cédric Vasseur, decided to take a rare step: offering him a contract for the next three years.”
“This contract is truly incredible. For me, it’s a dream come true. I’ve trained for so long, I’ve fought for years to be able to experience this moment. Obviously, it’s something very powerful. The Tour de l’Ain will remain in my memory for a long time. I really enjoyed discovering the team, integrating into it, and I really wanted to learn. I didn’t think I could make a podium in a stage.” Meehan said.
“But by managing to stay in the wheel of the best, I told myself that maybe there was a chance to play! I consider myself a climber, I like tough races, demanding climbs. With Cofidis, I want to continue learning, and I will do everything to help my teammates.”
After joining the AVC Aix-en-Provence Dole continental team in 2025, Meehan soloed to victory at the French Cup race, Roger Walkowiak Trophy, and claimed second on a stage of the Alpes Isere Tour, and two third places at the Tour du Piémont Pyrénéen Challenge 1 and Challenge 2. He also finished second overall and claimed the best young rider jersey at the five-day Rás Tailteann.
Meehan joins many other riders, such as Christophe Laporte, Anthony Pérez and more recently Oliver Knight and Clément Izquierdo, who have graduated from AVC Aix-en-Provence to Cofidis in the past.
Meehan will be at the start of La Polynormande on Sunday. He will then race the Tour de l’Avenir as part of the Irish National team before returning to race with Cofidis.
