What are the chances of Breton medals at the French cyclo-cross championships in Pontchâteau?

French cyclo-cross championships Saturday and Sunday in Pontchâteau

Elites: Tony Périou dreams of the podium

Winner of the French Cyclo-cross Cup, French No. 1 in the regularity index last season, Tony Périou was forced to withdraw (ill) from the French championships in Camors in January. This time, the Finistère from VCP Loudéac modified his approach to the French meeting: in agreement with his trainer, he gained strength regularly. Second in the general classification of the Coupe de France, the four-time champion of Brittany was getting closer to his best level at the end of December. Grieving by the disappearance of his brother, he skipped the World Cup round in Besançon (December 29) and resumed competition last weekend during the Challenge Dris (2nd in Camors, 1st in Grand-Champ). He dreams of a podium at the gates of Brittany.

Hopes: Louis Tanguy in the top 5?

First year hopeful, Finistère Louis Tanguy is making a very promising debut in U23. 6th in the general ranking of the Coupe de France, the crossman from Ponthou (near Morlaix) has the top 5 within reach. To hope to get on the podium, on Saturday, he is condemned to the feat against Sparfel, Bisiaux, Simon and other Verriers.

Louis Tanguy is champion of Brittany hopefuls. (Photo Nicolas Creach)

Juniors: Soen Le Pann loves the podiums

Silver medalist among the U17s last year on the Camors circuit, Soen Le Pann quickly found his feet in the higher category: 3rd in the last round of the Coupe de France at La Ferté-Bernard, 4th in the general classification , the Finistère from EC Plestin (which is part of the Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale pool) is aiming for the podium in Pontchâteau.

Cadets: Enzo Conan believes in it

Third in the general classification of the Coupe de France, Enzo Conan (VS Scaër) has the podium of the French championship in his legs. Undefeated in Brittany, the one who has something to look after (he is the son of Herman Conan and the grandson of Jean-Louis Conan) is a born competitor and aims for the podium in Poncthâteau. And more if affinities.

Elite women: Amandine Fouquenet loves Pontchâteau

Crowned in Pontchâteau in 2021, Amandine Fouquenet then won the bronze medal in 2022 in Liévin and the silver medal in 2024 in Camors. Despite some physical problems, the Bretillian from Arkéa-B & B Hotels hopes to recover the blue-white-red jersey on a Loire circuit which she really likes. Brittany champion Anaïs Morichon (Lanester Women Morbihan), bronze last year in Camors, will aim for the podium.

Léa Coraboeuf (Lanester Women Morbihan) should not be far from the podium in U23.

Junior women: Lison Desprez is expected

Four times on the podium in the first four rounds of the U19 World Cup, 2nd in the final general classification of the Coupe de France, Lison Desprez is one of the most anticipated Bretons in Pontchâteau. Where the Costarmorican will absolutely have to pull out all the stops: during the last round of the World Cup, she was beaten by Lise Revol and Jeanne Dutertre, two other French women. Camille Basset (VCP Loudéac) and Laly Pichon (VTT Pays de Vilaine) will both aim for the top 5.

Cadettes: Lana Le Guilloux is thinking about the podium

At the foot of the podium of the U17 French Cup, Lana Le Guilloux (OC Locminé) could reach it this Saturday. The Morbihan nugget is, in any case, making the short trip to Loire-Atlantique with this objective in mind. The young Baldivian loves the championships so who knows…