Here is a father who had his eyes that shine during all the month of July, and certainly more! Bruno Vauquelin could only be proud of his son Kevin After these three extraordinary weeks carried out by the training leader Arkéa-B & B Hotelsfinally 7th of this Tour de France 2025 After having resisted in the Pyrenees, the Alps, and having still shown himself to his advantage this Sunday on the Champs-Élysées (8th). Two weeks after having already expressed themselves on Cyclism’Actuwhen the peloton had passed through Vauquelin has Bayeux during the 6th stage, so we found Bruno in the capital to return to the exploits of his son and the new “French darling“, who will stay above all”My darling of me (sic)“. An interview filled with love, pride and admiration of a father for his son.
Bruno, how is Kévin Vauquelin's dad this evening, when the Tour de France 2025 arrives?
Even happier than happy. Relieved, admiring what he did during these three weeks. He made us dream. Arriving eighth on the Champs-Élysées, and seventh in the general classification is exceptional.
It seems that Kévin literally saved you… tell us.
Ah yes. In fact, I smoked a lot: three clop packages a day. After a heart attack, my cardiologist said to me: “You have to quit smoking, Mr. Vauquelin. And I replied: “I will stop the day my son wears the yellow jersey. I was thinking of the Tour de France, of course. And then, two weeks later, Kévin won the Tour des Alpes-Maritimes (in February 2023, editor's note) … and wears the yellow jersey. My cardiologist reminded me of: “Mr. Vauquelin, do you remember what you said? So I stopped. So yes, my son saved my life.
This 2025 tour is a surprise or a confirmation for you, as a father?
It's a surprise. We knew he was in good shape, physically and morally. He made a good start to the turn, but it was especially in the mountains that he transcended himself. Frankly, I admire. Many said that he was going to flank from the mountain, from the Pyrenees. But not at all, on the contrary: it was at the end of the end. Three or four days ago, I ask him, “So how are you?” “He replied:” I died. It's all morale. “I said to him,” So do you have a steel morale? “He replied:” No, I have a Vauquelin morale. It's harder than steel. »»
Kévin said he wanted to stay with the Arkéa-B & B Hotels team, and that she should not stop. What message do you send to potential sponsors?
Kévin arrived where he is today (7th of his 2nd Tour de France) thanks to the whole team. From mechanic to Manu Hubert, all played a role. It is this structure, these values of solidarity and work, which allowed him to climb to 7th place in the Tour. This team must survive and absolutely continue to exist. She still has a lot to give. It can reveal other talents and bring other French cyclists at the level where Kévin is today.
If you had to remember a single image of this tower, it would be?
The hot air balloon that we managed to set up with Kévin's head on it. It was a big project, led with the owner of the hot air balloon, the president of his fan club, his brother … I pissed everyone up, excuse me the term, so that it works, but especially for Kévin to be aware. We succeeded in this power cup. And when he arrived after Vire's stage, he said to the media: “Did you see my mouth on a hot air balloon?” – There, I knew that I had succeeded. It was my reward, my most beautiful image.
And in the end, as a dad, what are you remembering of this tour?
We're going to party tonight tomorrow, maybe still the day after tomorrow (smile). But what I remember above all is that after the Tour of Switzerland – that he finished 2nd – he won the hearts of the French. And when you are a father and you see that his son is as loved, as some people say to me: “It is the darling of the French”, I answer: “It is especially my darling to me. »»
