“We finally solved the problem …”
What are the sensations after this 1st step?
The sensations are rather good. It is true that I was invited last minute on this Ain Tour, because Paul (Seixas) was sick, so I had to replace it. I was not necessarily prepared for this race. I did a big training weekend, so yesterday the legs were a little hard at first, then it unlocked.
Have you brought back cans, especially?
Yes, it was quite easy at the start of the stage, so I think anyone could do it, there was no problem. Then it was a little harder in the bump, when the rhythm changed. I have not yet had time to do a lot of work specific to training. Normally, I had to resume in two weeks, so there it was a bit early. I managed to switch not too far from the leading group, but the descent was not very technical, very fast, so I failed to return. I think it was a good day. It's a bit of a shame that we failed to win. If we could have returned to Andrea (vendrame), we might have been better. But now, we are in the game. Nicolas (Prodhomme) is 6th, so we see that he is in good shape for the general. We will continue to focus on Andrea and Nicolas today.
You had less than ten days of racing at the start of the season. Before arriving here, it was hard to find the condition, especially after your visits to the hospital.
Yes, especially since I was made elbow and knee in May. We finally solved the problem I had already had last year. But it was long: after the operation, I had a month without any sport, not even walking. Then, a month of rehabilitation, so very little bike. I did not have much training to come back in shape. We had to try to find her as quickly as possible, because the end of the season is approaching.
“We have to discuss it with the team”
Did you have to resume polynormand initially?
Yes, normally, the recovery was planned for polynormand. So there, she arrives a little earlier with the Ain tour. But I'm here, that's good. I have strong leaders, so I'm here to work for them, and it will allow me to find the shape.
And the end of the season, do you know your program a bit?
Not yet totally, we have to discuss it with the team. But normally, I should go around Limousin. Then it will either be the Poitou-Charentes Tour, or the Tour of Great Britain. I would prefer Great Britain, with a little more cut steps for me. Then, I should go to Quebec and Montreal, then to the Grand Prix of Wallonia, a few races in Italy, and I will finish in China, like last year.
And your knee? You no longer have any pain?
No, none. Last year, we were not aware of this surgeon who operates this type of problem. Benoît (Cosnefroy) went to see him at the start of the year, and when I was bad after Milan-Sanremo, I went there in turn. He told me that he could take me. Since then, more pain. It changes everything.
