Departing from the 17th stage of Tour de France, Thomas Voeckler expressed itself at length on the major deadlines which await theFrench team in the coming weeks. Starting with European Championshipsorganized this year in Drôme and Ardèche, and which the coach has been preparing for several months. In this interview, he returns to the contours of the selection, the link with the World championships which will take place a week earlier, but also on the lessons learned from the Tour in progress. French performances, state of form of runners, role of young people as Valentin Paretrere (Soudal Quick-Step), Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B & B Hotels) or Paul Seixas (Decathlon AG2R), calendar management and relation to adversity … The coach's full point!
“Global or Europe, I do not make hierarchy”
We are here to talk about the European championships. Is the countdown launched?
Yes, it has started for a long time already. In any case, in my head, it's been a long time since we think about it. Thank you for taking an interest in it, because we are not going to lie: we are in the middle of a tour of France, and think of the European championships in the aftermath of such a beautiful French victory is strong.
It will be one of the highlights of the year, in the wake of the Worlds?
Clearly. For the French team that I lead, but also for all categories, young as elites, boys as girls, it is a super important moment. I do not hierarchy between events, but the fact that it is at home gives a particular dimension. For the moment, I find that it is a bit undergued, but it is understandable with the current tour. That said, just after the Worlds, the pressure will go up suddenly. This European championship has grown since its creation. It is carried by the runners themselves. Look at Christophe Laporte, or more recently Tim Merlier who won him in the sprint. Remco Evenepoel has already announced that it was a goal. I know the course. What the other teams will do, I ignore it, but it is my work to imagine the scenarios, to see which profiles of runners will be the most suitable, depending on what I have in mind and the means available. It will be the week following the Worlds, with a course which, at first glance, is aimed at the same types of runners. We must not forget the time trial in the Drôme, very important too. The French mixed relay team was European champion two years ago, then world champion. I also have a bronze medal among young people … just thinking about it, it gives me a smile and it motivates me.
On this tower, I remain cautious, I do not let myself be carried away by the emotional. I keep my coach's cap well in mind. The European championships are still far away, but it will be a big meeting. It deserves to be publicized, and it will be. We will do everything to be up to the event, alongside all those who work in its success: the organizers, the federation which is co-organizer, private partners, communities, and especially volunteers. Without them, nothing is possible.
“Valentin Paret-Peintre? He didn't surprise me”
Beyond your consultant cap, how did the coach experience yesterday (Tuesday)? Was you afraid for Valentin Paret-Peintre?
Yesterday, I was mainly a supporter. What Valentin did, I knew how to do it. He didn't surprise me. He was perfectly maneumed. Ben Healy was the strongest, but not the most explosive. We knew he was going to try from afar. Valentin was able to count on a good team. I vibrated, like millions of French people, in the last meters. Two kilometers from the finish, when the last pursuer returned, I said to my guests: “There, normally, it's good”. I explained to them that, logically, the yellow jersey was going to get up, Ben Healy throws from afar, and in the last turn, Valentin overflowing him. And that's exactly what happened. A real happiness.
A debate agitates the peloton: is it possible to chain world championship and European championship?
I do not know if it is a debate, but it is a real possibility. For some runners, one, several or none. Is it achievable? Yes. There is no time difference, night flights are possible. A week of intervals at this time of year is not a brake. Are we going to do it? I don't know yet. But it's not more complicated than that. It is a question of approach, a bit like football: some need to play a match before to be well in the next. I do not hierarchy between the World Cup and the Euro. It is not easier to make a result at one than to the other. This year, the world championship is 260 terminals, 5,500 meters of elevation, an 8 km collar at 90 from the finish … with Vingegaard and Pogacar in the world title. I am ambitious, always, but also realistic. My role is to do what is best for the French team, in terms of results, state of mind, and behavior. I take into account adversity, which is, on paper, superior. But that doesn't mean anything. We have already had the best team and to leave almost empty -handed. I am thinking of Australia, where we went very close to leaving without anything, before a magnificent silver medal. So yes, ambition and humility, always.
Valentin Paret-Peintre is very young, but he already seems very mature.
He proved to be the Giro last year. Changing teams, integrating that of Remco Evenepoel is a challenge. But what he did yesterday is typically his land: a high mountain stage, in the third week, is what suits him. And then we also had Jordan Jegat, another profile, very interesting in the current context of excessive “youth”. Today, at 19, if you're not pro, we think you're screwed up. But it is not reality. You can pass pro later, or never pass pro, and continue to flourish. Jordan is the opposite example. He worked in a real job before, because bicycle is not a job in the classic sense, it is a sport. He knows what it is to work. He is ripe, he progresses through work. We do not compensate everything by talent. I am well placed to find out. But with relentlessness, you can get there. What he does on this turn is in his image: discreet, solid, efficient. Does he say he is surprised? Maybe, but I think it sells it well. I knew he was capable of that.
“Paul Seixas? His age is not a brake”
A word on Kevin Vauquelin?
Kevin is an incredible engine. Before we even talk about Paul Seixas or Romain Grégoire this year, it was for me the best French Rouler-Grimper combo. Over three weeks, he wanted to go step by step. There he embarks on a general. You have to remain cautious, but what he showed yesterday was huge.
Is the Tour de France of the French successful?
Since yesterday yes (Tuesday), yes! Yesterday it was extraordinary, but you shouldn't get on either and it's hard. Romain Grégoire, two top 5 at the start of the tour in the face of monstrous competition … What to blame him? In the high mountains, at the pedal, no one follows Pogacar and Vingegaard. It is a reality. We lost this supremacy that we had at the time Demore-Bouhanni. Arnaud converted to a teammate, he was probably the best thing to do. On the other hand, in time, the good news is that we returned in the blow. There is competition, and it pulls everyone up. In the stages for backpackers, it's super hard. The level is very high. The guys winning must fight like lions. I am not disappointed with the French. Perhaps some are below their potential, but they are the first to want to do better. The tour is not over. If Julian wins in Pontarlier, or Romain Grégoire, or a Frenchman on the fields with a crazy scenario, that Lenny Martinez brings the polka jersey … it would be an exceptional turn. Until then, it was catastrophic in terms of victory since 1999, but everything can switch. This is also that, the charm of the bicycle.
A word about Paul Seixas, whom everyone talks about?
His age is not a brake. He has a WorldTour contract, he is selectable. I still work in consultation with the teams, even if I could decide alone. This is not my operating mode. I do not take anyone for acquired, I respect the teams. Seixas, like others, will wear the blue jersey. Short, medium or long term. But I never get carried away. It is not because Paul Seixas has a crazy talent that I will unroll the red carpet. I keep my feet on the ground. I do not forget those that we are talking about less, and I do not kneel before a phenomenon, as unique as it is. So much the better if we have one. Let's take advantage of it, but let's stay lucid.
