In 2024, Jérémy Bellicaud discovered the position of sports director within the Continental Women Winspace team. An experience that the 26-year-old Charentais will not repeat next year. For DirectVelothe former Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert rider looks back on his year and takes stock of his future.
DirectVelo: What is your assessment of the team's season?
Jérémy Bellicaud: The results are rather good for the team. It was a structure that was not out of the woods last season. Leaving at the last minute was not easy, especially in terms of recruitment. We managed to retain a few people who were already in the structure. We had a little renewal with two Chinese girls (Xin Tang et Luyao Zeng, NDLR) and two Polish women (Aurela Nerlo and Karolina Perekitko, editor's note). This made it possible to strengthen the structure. On a sporting level, we were quite consistent. We have often been in our place with the role of an outsider. We were able to seize opportunities in difficult races, notably with Karolina Perekitko (see its DV file). It was our safe bet. The team revolved around her a lot.
“I HAD A LOT OF FUN”
What are your greatest satisfactions?
Participation in the Vuelta, a first for the team, is a great satisfaction with Karolina's 10th place on the last stage. Overall, the team gained a lot of experience from this race. This allowed part of the squad to progress physically and tactically. We had new girls in the professional world. It required a quick learning curve. The women's level is super high at the moment, especially on our racing program. Some girls were a bit thrown into the pool without armbands, but it went well for the entire squad. I think our strength this season was the collective and the fact of maintaining this aspect of family structure without taking away our ambitions in certain races. We fought with our weapons. We must not hide our faces, it is necessarily difficult when faced with large structures which have three to four times our budget or even more. I really enjoyed this role as DS. I tried to bring experience to some girls who needed it. There is really a lot of satisfaction with the group in general.
Personally, what do you remember from your first season as DS?
It's the switch to the other side, plus with a racing program that I didn't know. I had to learn about how to run, about the opponents, about the races. I like new challenges and this was a great one. The outsider position allowed us to have freedom in a lot of races and to try things. I had freedom as DS. I flourished well. The group was great. I had a lot of fun. I know I'll stay in touch with quite a few girls. It was a great year on a personal level.
“A RUNNER’S LIFE WITHOUT PHYSICAL EFFORTS”
Did it meet your expectations?
Yes, it's a runner's life without the physical effort. There is a lot of travel, days away from home. There are big rush periods and other quieter periods. I have always said that the best job in the world is to be a cyclist, and the second, a sports director. When you love racing, there's nothing better.
Did you still have any surprises?
No, I didn't have too many surprises. Apart from the level of the best cyclists in the world. I knew the level was high, but as a spectator of some big performances, you can see the level. This is perhaps my biggest surprise. In the women's world, it's still a two-speed cycle. Some girls turn pro at a very young age and find themselves facing a rivalry that is enormous.
What is your future?
I will not continue next season with Winspace by mutual agreement. I will take over the position of educational manager of DEJEPS training (State Diploma in Youth, Popular Education and Sport, Editor’s note) Cycling Traditional cycling in Poitiers. This is the position occupied by Paul Brousse. He's going to move on to another project. I was immediately interested when he told me about it. It's not the same life as a sports director. When you're a DS, you live a little for yourself. We sometimes tend to forget life next door, family life. I thought it was a good time. I lived my personal project for quite a while. I'm not saying that I won't come back (smile). This new position was an interesting opportunity for me. I will also flourish professionally, I am sure of it.
