Apparently Nacer Bouhanni’s decision to leave FDJ.fr in order to join Pro Continental Cofidis was regarded as a controversial move as he reportedly received serious offers from other WorldTour squads, but the 24-year old Frenchman firmly stands up for his choice.

"Many people talk about it but it's the opposite," Bouhanni said of his decision to sign for Cofidis, according to Cyclingnews. "I'll be in better conditions than at FDJ. I have a tight group around me. That's what I am focused on and that is most important. We race the same races as if we were in the WorldTour.”

An internal rivalry between Bouhanni and his fellow FDJ team-mate Arnaud Demare has been an object of discussion since the French squad opted for leaving the former out of their roster for Milano-Sanremo, an event which the 24-year old sprinter set as one of his 2014 major objectives, and consequently supported the latter in following sprinter-friendly spring classics.

Bouhanni bounced back with a highly successful Giro campaign what boosted his hopes for lining-up at the Tour de France. However, FDJ again decided to support Demare in their home grand tour, even though the 24-year old made it clear that his decision about staying in the team after his contract runs to an end this season was strongly depended on that matter.

In such circumstances, Bouhanni decided to tie his future with another squad and unsurprisingly enjoyed a serious interest of several strong teams. Even though his decision to join Pro Continental Cofidis rather than another WorldTour outfit might appear slightly controversial at first, in fact it offers the 24-year old sprinter a highly privileged position instead of being one of many options in some star-studded line-up.

In addition to this, due to their French pedigree and long tradition in cycling, Cofidis receives invitations to all important races held on their home soil as well as to Belgian classics, what provides Bouhanni with a possibility to participate in all targeted events.

"It is Paris-Nice, the Dauphiné, the Tour de France, the Vuelta and all Belgian classics. So I do not see how this is disturbing. Access to WorldTour can be a goal next year."

"Necessarily as a sprinter, I want to win races," he said. "I aim for races early in the season such as Gent-Wevelgem, Paris-Nice and Milan San Remo. It is clear that Ghent-Wevelgem is a goal. I have to look at the profile of Milan San Remo to see if it suits me because they may add the Pompeiana climb.

"I'd like to be in peak shape between Paris-Nice and Gent Wevelgem and after that, for the Tour de France. I will concentrate on the Tour and my goal will be to arrive as fresh as possible."

The French Pro Continental squad also agreed to revamp their roster in order to build a team tightly around the 24-year old sprinter, bringing on board his key team-mates Steve Chainel (Ag2r La Mondiale), Geoffrey Soupe (FDJ.fr) and Dominique Rollin. However, his another lead-out man Sebastian Chavanel decided against following his move and stayed at FDJ.

"It's not a disappointment," Bouhanni said of Chavanel's decision to stay with FDJ. "I have good people around me to get me in the sprints. I can count on Geoffrey Soupe, Adrien Petit and Dominique Rollin, I have brought him, among others. That's fine with me."

Before his move to Cofidis becomes reality, Bouhanni is expected to ride the Vuelta and claims to be highly motivated to hunt stage victories after he left the Tour disappointment behind.

"I go to the Vuelta with the goal of winning a stage," said Bouhanni, who isn’t keen to take it easy in the final months of his contract. "I want to have a good end to the season. The sprinters jersey at the Vuelta can be a goal, but I will aim for stage wins or being in the top-three regularly."

"No. I participated in the Giro and I'm done," he said. "The Tour de France, it was a choice of the FDJ team. I respect him [Madiot] and I'm not going to think about that past. I will focus on the Vuelta."