Théo Thomas has set himself a goal this season, to be French cyclo-cross champion. On the way to Pontchâteau, the Sebmotobikes rider continues three races in Belgium, the X2O Trofee Herentals (18th) and the World Cup rounds of Zonhoven (32nd), last Sunday, and Gavere, scheduled for this Thursday. DirectVelo took stock with 3rd in the 2024 French Championship.
DirectVelo: How was your return to the World Cup in Zonhoven?
Théo Thomas: It wasn't easy due to the complicated circuit and the return of Mathieu Van der Poel. It puts everyone in a state of euphoria so it happens very quickly. You had to be directly in it. I suffered a lot in the first laps when I was well placed. At one point, Clément Venturini was in front of me, I was making small mistakes so I found myself between two and I had to make the jump. I was at my limit physically so I had to wait and wait behind. I also had trouble holding the wheels.
The ending was more complicated…
In the end, I paid for the energy lost to compensate for the technique and it was harder. But that’s one of the things to take into account during this period. I ran in Herentals in mid-December, I did a session since mid-November, so three times of cyclo-cross in a month and a half… Before I did it twice a week in Belgium, there the The difference is enormous, it's no longer the same.
“I’M PREPARING TO BE FRENCH CHAMPION”
What do you expect from this cyclo-cross season?
The Championship is the number 1 objective, I am preparing to be Champion of France. It requires less technical involvement than in a World Cup. The French level is good but it remains achievable. If there is a World Championship for me, there we will have to spit in our hands and touch the cross bike a little more often.
How are you going to prepare for the French Championship?
I'm going to do Gavere then I'm going to go to Spain to ride, before a cross country in Charvieu-Chavagneux a week before the French Championship. Then I hope that the condition will be good in Pontchâteau. It could be a construction site or a quick run. The goal is to be in shape to win regardless of the type of circuit. We'll see that day, but I don't have a particular desire, I just want to be the best version of myself to win.
Cycling
France
