On the occasion of the FDJ French Cups for men and women ceremony, which was held this Thursday evening in Boulogne-Billancourt (Hauts-de-Seine), DirectVelo took stock of this regularity challenge with several speakers, including Fabien Vardanega. The organizer of the Tour du Doubs discusses the evolution of his event and the importance of appearing on the FDJ Coupe de France calendar. Interview.
DirectVelo: Why is it important to be included on the FDJ Coupe de France calendar?
Fabien Vardanega: There are two things. The first is that it allows us to be part of a calendar that has value in our eyes and that rewards quality runners. All you have to do is look at the 2024 winners, with Benoît Cosnefroy winning ahead of Paul Lapeira. For us at the Tour du Doubs, it's Lenny Martinez who wins, sorry. There is a qualitative plateau. Clément Venturini rightly said it during the ceremony: there is a level in the Coupe de France. It’s a competition that grows from year to year. The other interest is that we feel the support of the National Cycling League, which accompanies us throughout the year.
“IT’S A PRIDE”
Is it essential?
Of course, for security, communication, the possibility of being able to broadcast our event live… All this helps us and allows us to improve in quality and level each year. We feel that we reach a milestone every year.
You have the particularity of being, among the sixteen rounds of the Coupe de France FDJ, one of the toughest with the Mercan'Tour Classic in particular…
It’s super important for us, it’s a source of pride. The topography of the department really lends itself to this and it is an honor for us to have runners different from puncher-sprinters who can express themselves. We are very happy to be able to offer this variety compared to the other rounds.
“A RELEVANT TRYPTIC”
You have changed place on the calendar, after having been in September for a long time…
It allows us to get together with our friends from Jura Cyclisme and do a good block of three races for the runners who come to the region. It is a triptych that is relevant in many ways, ecologically, sportingly, etc.
How can your test still evolve?
We want to continue to bring new things, particularly in terms of the course. Next year, we will reverse the route, leaving Pontarlier to arrive in Morteau. We had a Live for the first time in 2024 on France TV and Eurosport. Next year will be the 40th so there will be a little anniversary nod. By being reasonable, we above all want to succeed in maintaining things as they are because with the current situation, it is never simple and nothing is taken for granted. It’s already a great challenge.
