Two years later, Nicolas Reculeau once again finished 2nd in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Championship, last Sunday (see ranking). “I would love to bring the jersey back one day. But there is no need to make excuses. Damien (Beton) was simply stronger. At the end of the first lap he attacked me and he kept opening the gap. I didn't feel that bad, I took my pace. There is a big gap at the finish. The type of race was quite special with a whole part where we ran on foot with the bike on our back and that never really worked out for me. But I'm very happy that Damien won. He’s a great guy, his parents helped my mechanic and vice versa.”entrusted to DirectVelo the member of Team Guevel Roadborn.
Around All Saints' Day, the runner who has just celebrated his 28th birthday gained momentum. “I finished 11th on the second day in Nommay, then 3rd in Dijon. Then I won the Valence cyclo-cross and I obtained my best result in the Coupe de France in Pierric with a 4th place. I had crazy feelings“. Before experiencing a second, more laborious act in the locality of Loire-Atlantique. “I fell three times and felt pain in my wrist which impacted my good form. After three weeks of being embarrassed, including in Troyes, I went for an X-ray and I actually cracked a bone in my wrist… I've been wearing a splint ever since and when I run, I have a strap. It’s not ideal, but it gets better.”.
“THE GATEWAY WAS EASY”
Nicolas Reculeau hopes to return to the top of the standings in the Coupe de France this weekend for the last one at La Ferté-Bernard. “I want to get into the Top 10 on both days and why not try to get back into the Top 5. Last year, I managed to do it once in Albi.” In order to re-experience the World Cup circuit where he went last year to Troyes and Namur. “I would like to be selected for the World Cups coming to Zonhoven, Hulst, Gavere and Besançon. In Namur, it was crazy, in Zonhoven, it could be the same. It's legendary, it's to experience this kind of atmosphere that we do cross country. This would be a great Christmas present.”. Then, he plans to rest to prepare for the French Championship in Pontchâteau where he placed 8th during the last edition in Camors (read here).
This winter, the original Vendéen, licensed at UC Montmeyran Valence in Drôme, joined a specialized structure, Team Guevel Roadborn. “I met a lot with Valentin Guillaud who was in the team. Unfortunately, he decided to stop, it would have been cool to have a last year together like with Team Vendée in mountain biking. I also find Arnold (Jeannesson) who comes from the same club and the atmosphere there was at the time. The bridge was easy with Rudy (Guevel, le manager, NDLR) who contacted me. We got along straight away, we are in very good conditions, it's difficult to do better. We have no excuses. If we don’t perform, we only have ourselves to blame.”
