French Road Championships – “Two years that I only thought about that”: the consecration Valentin Madouas

More than 220 kilometers, a circuit made up of two climbs, cobblestones, a passage at 17%, no recovery part and only 23 classified riders… This French championship was hell for many, but it opened the doors to paradise for Valentin Madouas, crowned in Cassel.

“It was a magnificent course, with dantesque conditionshowever, estimated the champion of France, undoubtedly exalted by his success. I think we had a very good French championship“.

“The course was a bit typical for mehe explains. It was really hard, when you see that they are everywhere, that everyone arrives one by one… That’s why I had ticked these Championships in my head“. Only checked?”I’ve only thought about this for two years, since I know that the course will be here, in Kasselhe admitted after the finish. I told all my family, all my friends: ‘Come on, I feel it, I’m going to do it…’ So winning in front of everyone, like that…” Even more so for a runner who is not used to winning, he who won only his 6th success this Sunday since his time with the professionals, the most beautiful incontestably.

“It’s a dream for me, I’ve been waiting for years to be champion of Francehe said, tears in his eyes. I had been an amateur and it was truly a magnificent moment. But there, do it with the professionals…” Especially since the Breton has put his way into it, with a solo number of 21km.

“I find it hard to realizehe admitted a few minutes after his consecration. I think it will be mostly at home, when I open the laptop“. Or of course the Tour de France, which starts next Saturday from Bilbao.”I had already been French champion as an amateur but it’s clear that with the pros, it’s something else againadmits Madouas. I would see him at the start of the Tour, very quickly. That’s when I think I’ll realize…”.

Tenth last year on the Grande Boucle, Valentin Madouas should still be a major teammate for David Gaudu, candidate for the podium. But, at 26, it is also time for the Breton to pass a course that this title of champion of France can make him pass: that of bringing back – finally – the great victories that his talent and his regularity call for.

“I was probably missing this victory to be able to trigger somethingexplains the new champion of France. He lacked a bit of success, a bit of confidence perhaps too. I was a lot in doubt, even if I had confidence in myself. I was placed a lot, I knew it was going to do it at some point. We just had to wait, be patient, and it did in this Championship. From now on, I have to manage to win at the World Tour level and I hope to do it on the Tour this year“.

“Now, it’s obvious that when you’re up against great opponents like Wout Van Aert and Tadej Pogacar, it’s hard to beat them.rightly recalls the Breton. So we are always behind. But I hope to be in front at some point. It’s clear that I won’t be at all the races, far from it. But if I can beat them once, then a second, why not…” And if it could be on the Tour de France, adorned with the blue-white-red jersey, there is no doubt that Valentin Madouas would not say no. And Marc Madiot and the French public either.