What motivated you to participate in the U23 event of these World Championships?
At first, it wasn’t at all wanted. I’ve been in the WorldTour for two years, I did the Giro d’Italia this year, so I didn’t even think about it. It was the coach Pierre-Yves Chatelon who came to me and asked me if I was motivated. Given that I had already missed the race last year (injured knee) and that this is my last opportunity to race a world championship in the hopes (he already participated in 2022), I accepted straight away.
You had a disrupted second half of the season after your accident (knocked down by a truck at the beginning of June). In what physical condition are you arriving?
I was at the Canadian Classics last week and I felt that it was still difficult for me to weigh in (84th and 58th). The level is so high… But I also feel that I am progressing with each race and that the form is coming.
Exactly, what race are you expecting?
There will be a crazy level! Today, a large part of the U23s are already professionals, some in the WorldTour. They are young, but they already have experience. The race promises to be very unbridled on a difficult course and that’s what scares me a little. In the WorldTour, everything is very structured and I’m not necessarily used to racing like that anymore. It will be like with the amateurs, we will have to get used to it quickly even if, in the end, it will be down to the leg.
You will be the most experienced member of a French team that will win the title in 2023 with Axel Laurance. What will your role be?
I’m not putting pressure on myself in relation to Axel. I’m approaching this race as a free electron and road captain. We’ll have some great cards in the team, like Thibaud Gruel who’s doing well. But I’m definitely not here to say that I participated! Given my status, I have to get a result. A successful World Championship would mean going for the jersey.
