The date was checked. Expected. However, it seemed far away, too far away. But the weeks went by, very busy. And the moment has finally arrived. The one that all professional runners are eager to experience after weeks of preparation: that of returning to competition. Because Lucas Bénéteau and Thibaud Gruel will pin the very first bib of the season on their jerseys this week, in Spain. For their greatest happiness.
By birthright, it is Lucas Bénéteau, 22 years old, who will give his first pedal strokes in competition. It will be this Friday, January 24, during the Classica Camp de Morvedre, then Saturday, during the Grand Prix Castellon. “I'm quite happy, even excited, admits the Tourangeau from St Michel training – Preference Home – Auber 93. It's been quite a while since I've competed in a race. »
Since the end of August, exactly, when an inflammation in the perineum brought an early end to his first season among the pros. “The sensations are good, it’s coming back little by little. »
“I’ve been waiting for this all winter!” »
Thibaud Gruel, meanwhile, will make his first start of the season in Valencia on Sunday as part of the Classica Comunitat Valenciana. “I am approaching this race with a lot of desire. I can't wait, as always when it comes time to compete in the first events. I've been waiting for this all winter! This will be an opportunity to take stock of the situation, to see how the others are doing and how my legs are doing.”anticipates the 20-year-old Groupama-FDJ rider.
His legs will also be put to the test on a 184 km long course and spiced up by three difficulties, notably the ascent of the Alto de Turron Duro, a steep climb located in the finale and seasoned with a passage at 18%. “It's a Nice, fairly steep climb, more than three mile markers at almost 10%, it will be a key part of the race. We're going to go scouting during the internship. »
-The common desire to shine during the first part of the season
Because Thibaud Gruel and Lucas Bénéteau are both on training in Calpe, as in December. “In the sun, then”laughs the first, present in Spain since January 15, the second having left his bags there last Saturday. The opportunity to “put in good blocks of intensity, endurance and work, in short, to finalize the preparation to properly attack the races at the start of the season”details Thibaud Gruel, definitely attracted by the sun since he moved at the beginning of the month to Cagnes-sur-Mer, near Nice (Alpes-Maritimes).
The events that Lucas Bénéteau will compete in this week are part of such a “training block” : “We are obviously going to do the shopping thoroughly, but we are not going to arrive 100% fresh. The goal is to get back on track, the objectives will come a little later, starting with the GP La Marseillaise (February 2). I would like to be in regular shape from February to April, to be able to play in certain races that suit me. It would be great if I felt capable of it. Above all, I hope to have a full season, without any glitches! »
“In terms of sensations, things are moving in the right direction, assesses Thibaud Gruel for his part. I hope to be in really good shape between March and May, a period during which I will compete in several Coupe de France events. My goal is to get a victory in one of these races. That would be really great. » This would be a landmark. The one that all professional runners are dying to experience.
