Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale DT was very visible last week during the Tour de Bretagne. The continental was able to count in particular on Aubin Sparfel, 3rd in the general classification, as well as 2nd and 6th of stages, and Antoine l’Hote, 4th of a stage and 14th in general (see here). Kévin Fouache, sports director during the week in Brittany, took stock of Directive.
Directvelo: What feeling predominates after the Tour de Bretagne?
Kévin Fouache: When we go from a briefing to want to overthrow the race, to run after the end, it is obvious that we are frustrated knowing that everyone was not at best on the last step. But Aubin (Sparfel) was still in a big day, he made exceptional seven days, he recovered very well, so it is already satisfaction. But the bonus would have been to seek this victory that we hoped all week. We put ourselves upside down at certain times. Jugon was an important passage in our race, but it didn’t necessarily happen as we wanted. There are little things to review. But as a whole of the week, we are only missing victory.
“We can’t blame him”
Faced with a big competition, Aubin Sparfel achieves a good performance by being only hope 1 …
Yes, it’s a very good week. We took each step as a classic. Honestly, I was a little afraid that the efforts of the first days weigh us at the end of the race. It weighed for some, that may be what puts us in difficulty. There is bound to be disappointment, but we would have signed a few months ago for a 3rd place of Aubin, with a very good collective around him.
He will remain as one of the great animators of the Tour de Bretagne …
I think he was the one who attacked the most during the race. Every day, we saw it at the offensive. There are days, I would have liked him to do it. But in the end, we cannot blame a kid who wants to go. On the contrary, it is a trainer. That’s how we also learn. We debrief, we explain, we give marbles. Aubin has learned from his mistakes, but these are not really. On the first day, it may have been a little impatient. But during the third stage where Eliott Boulet wins, he attacks because he had been asked to do so. He analyzes the course. If it looks behind, it looked like: “Wow, beautiful, what a plume!” »». It finally fits. We can’t blame him to do this in a final to win. Many lights are green for the future.
“A super healthy environment, with values”
How do you manage as sports director, so many expectations around Aubin Sparfel?
We manage it in the simplest way possible. Honestly, we are natural. Guys have talent, it’s obvious. It is also a work from the whole team. I also put in the loop the coaches who are not always on the ground and David Giraud, the continental referent. I also think of Jean-Baptiste Quiclet and Guillaume Bonnafond who allow us to accomplish great work, as well as the direction. There is a super healthy environment with values. We are guarantor of these values. We have a great group.
Antoine the host was not far from the victory for the fifth stage either!
The idea was to play on these two cards and enjoy them, even if it may have served us at times. Wednesday, it could very well have walked when Antoine attacks in the final, but it did not do it. On Tuesday, he was in the right breakaway, in the company of solid runners, after 1h40 battle. Very quickly, we imagined that it could go to the end and it was the case, even if he could not win. Antoine and Aubin both had the opportunities to shine, without success. But it would be too beautiful if we won all the time. It remains a very nice week.
