cross-interview between Victorie Guilman and Valentin Ferron

One was born in Vienne and lives in the Pyrénées-Orientales, the other is from Charente and lives in Saint-Georges-lès-Baillargeaux. During a video, we brought together Valentin Ferron and Victorie Guilman. The two riders joined Cofidis for two seasons. Cross-interview.

Their new team

Do you know each other?

Valentin Ferron (VF): “The first memories are minimal around the 2010s. I had the opportunity to run with Victorie because she was a little older. She beat me a few times. »

Victorie Guilman (V.G) : “I am from Angoulême and I ran all over Poitou. I remember a race in Colombiers. »

V. F. : “Everyone has gone their own way since then. I met him again during the Poitou-Charentes selections. And I am friends with Victorie’s companion, Étienne. But I haven't seen him in a while. »

You have signed with Cofidis. For what ?

VG: “It wasn’t the plan to change teams. In June, Saint-Michel – Auber 93 was not sure of restarting. A decision had to be made and the team did not block me. At the same time, Cofidis had contacted me since March. I initially refused before it happened naturally after the difficulties at Saint-Michel. »

V. F. : “It’s a bit of the opposite of Victorie. I was in Jean-René Bernaudeau's team since 2017. I spent three years at Vendée U and five years at TotalEnergies. I'm coming out of a complicated season. I wanted a change of scenery, to get out of my comfort zone and take part in other races, the calendar being more dense. It happened quite naturally and very early. »

Can you tell the story of your arrival?

VG: “I really wanted to stay in France. There are few options for having a structured team. I immediately trusted Cofidis, the second French team. »

V. F. : “Cofidis very quickly showed me its interest. I wanted to stay in France for the simplicity of the language. I couldn't see myself going abroad. It was too big a milestone and I don't even know if the teams were interested. »

Before signing, what inspired you about this team created in 1996?

V. F. : “It’s a legendary team, one of the oldest in the peloton. It makes me think of Sylvain Chavanel who I admired. He wore the jersey for several years (2005 to 2008). »

VG: “I have the image of the jersey on the Grande Boucle during the breakaways or during Sylvain's victory on the Tour (2008). It's truly legendary. And a sponsor that lasts this long is beautiful. »

What will your ambitions be?

V.G: “I would like to participate in the Tour de France, especially with its passage in Poitiers. This would truly be an event not to be missed. I hope I can do well. There is also the French championship, one of the high points of a season. I hope to achieve a result (6^e in 2023, 2^e in 2019). I will have a little less of my Cofidis card, I will have to support young people a little more but it could be beneficial. »

V. F. : “I would like to discover the Giro. It's a great, attractive ride. I want to do it at least once. And then, I'm not difficult. I want to get back on the path to victory. »

At Cofidis, do bridges exist between the two teams?

VG: “The courses will be in the same place like the first in Calpe in Spain, some races too. The presentation at the beginning of December will also be common. The two staffs are different however. »

Is playing in a mixed team interesting in the overall vision of Cycling?

V. F. : “It’s going to be a discovery. There are more and more women, which is very good. Cycling is a basic macho environment. In terms of results, it can also create a good dynamic. »

VG: “At Saint-Michel, that was the case. And frankly, I really liked it. All year round, we're among girls, whereas there, there's a different vision when you're around men. The approaches are different like the mentalities. It's also good to have other exchanges. »

With this change of team, have you kept your coach?

VG: “I have been working with Sébastien Chavanel for five years. It's going well, I couldn't see myself leaving it. »

V. F. : “For me, it’s the opposite. I had a coach employed by TotalEnergies. I now work with Mathieu Defontaine. I will also have a reference sports director so that information circulates such as the racing calendar, my desires, my expectations and vice versa…”

Did you know any members of Cofidis?

V. F. : “No, I rubbed shoulders with some French runners in races. I'm not coming alone, I'm coming with Paul Ourselin. »

V.G: “I know Victoire Berteau a little and I also come with Marion Borras. »

Their opinion of the other, the vision of their discipline

How do you view each other's careers?

V. F. : “It’s funny to meet again at Cofidis after starting cycling together. She, like me, had a linear progression. »

V.G.: “In Poitou-Charentes, there are few professional runners. Being two from the same era at that level is pretty cool. »

Do you follow women's cycling?

V. F. : “We can only be pleased with its development. In the end, it happened a bit at the same time as my arrival in the pros. The races are televised, some routes are similar, that's positive. The girls are far from being ridiculous, performing equally as well as the men. »

And masculine?

VG: “I am, I like watching TV. Étienne, my companion, watches all the time. I'm a little forced (laughs) even if I like it too. »

Do you look at your discipline?

V. F. : “I don’t watch all the races but I pay attention to the results. »

VG: “To choose, I prefer to look at the girls because I know them. That appeals to me more. »

V. F. : “I’m joining Victorie too. When I'm not on the bike, it's good to watch my opponents. »

Can you still cut it?

V. F. : “More and more, I try to unplug. The bike takes up a lot of space. If I go riding in the morning and watch the races in the afternoon, it's not very relaxing and fun. »

VG: ” I agree. At the moment, it's cyclo-cross. It's on at home and it annoys me a little (laughs). »

How do you manage to do it? Do you have any passions?

V. F. : “Like an average person, I like doing simple things like manual activities and DIY. You have to do good for your head and body. »

VG: “I really like cooking, I also garden. In the afternoon, there are often walks with my two dogs, Miniature Spitz (also called Pomeranian Loulou). »

Do you speak English?

VG: “At the FDJ, it was an obligation. Everything was in English. Briefings and headset. In Cofidis, there are also a lot of foreigners who don't speak a word of French so you have to get used to it. »

Is it surprising to speak another language in a French team?

VG: “I have the impression that men make more of an effort. At Groupama, they were obliged to learn. There, some have been there for three years and don't speak at all. It's quite strange. »

V. F. : “French teams are becoming international. At Total, the arrival of Peter Sagan in 2022 changed everything. Everyone took the habit of speaking English. It’s also normal so that everyone can work in symbiosis. But I'm not yet at the point on my side (laughs). I will have to progress because there are a lot of foreigners at Cofidis (17 out of 30). I will be diligent. »

Attachment to Vienna, training routes, FDJ-Suez

What do you think of FDJ-Suez, the training based in Vienne?

VG: “I know them very well after eight years with them. Already this year there have been a lot of changes. FDJ-Suez reaches the top level. Next year, it will be one of the best teams in the world. In two years, Stephen (Delcourt) has really made a big recruitment effort both in the staff and the girls. It’s great to see this evolution. When I returned in 2015, the team was far from this level. It's good to have such a team in Vienna. »

V. F. : “I am proud and admire Stephen’s work. Having a team of this level anchored in Poitevin territory is very beautiful. As Victorie said, the team's rise is quite admirable. »

Do you have any regrets about leaving them?

VG: “No, not at all (laughs). It was one of my best decisions last year. This year I had one of my best seasons. I have a lot of regrets about leaving Saint-Michel but it wasn't really my decision. »

Are you attached to the Vienne department?

V. F. : “Obviously, I grew up here. I always keep an eye on what's going on. I obviously feel Poitevin. »

VG: “To be honest, I consider myself more Charentaise but I'm really attached because these are my training routes. I defend my land. And there's a lot of racing here. »

Aren't the roads a little flat considering your puncher-climber characteristics?

VG: “It’s not easy. I do a lot of laps around the circuit and the same bump several times. To ride, there are few hills. It's not ideal but I don't see myself moving. »

Which bumps may suit you?

VG: “There is the Côte du Fou (at the exit of Vouneuil-sur-Vienne), it is my reference coast. I might have to do it ten times in training, it's a bit boring but there's not much choice. »

Valentin, do you know her well?

V. F. : “Yes, I've ridden it several times but I don't have the Kom (1) yet. » (laughs)

(1) King of mountain, the best time on a specific segment.