As Espoir 1, Maxime Decomble was in fact taking part in his first World Championship in the age category. Comfortable against the clock, as he demonstrated at the last Espoirs French Championship by winning the title, the Groupama-FDJ rider tested himself internationally in Zurich this Monday. In the end, the Top 10 was not far away (see ranking). “I’m very happy, I can’t have any regrets because I gave it my all and I had good feelings. My coach had given me a rather wide pace. I had good feelings so I was above in terms of watts. It’s a time trial that I like, it climbs, there are flat sections. The course was good and the rain calmed down. It’s a good day for me.”he sums up hot off the press.
If “A Top 10 would have been nice”a comfortable place in the Top 15 pleases him. “I didn’t really know where to position myself, so now I know”he smiles. Maxime Decomble had only learned of his selection two weeks ago, and has been in time trial mode ever since. “I’ve only been preparing for two weeks but I’ve always had this idea in mind. I had prepared well for it with the Tour of Britain. Then as I didn’t have any races, I prepared well at home, I almost only did time trials so it was ideal.”. Until experiencing this first on the starting ramp. “There was no real stress, I was quite confident. There is a bit of pressure but not unnecessary”.
” SURPRISED “
This year, Maxime Decomble has really reached a milestone against the clock. Because when he remembers his Junior outings, there are not only great moments. “I did the World and European Championships last year but I wasn’t excellent. This year I’m surprised to have progressed like that, with the title of French Champion.”. 28th at the World Championship in Glasgow and 16th at the European Championship in the Netherlands, the jump is therefore very interesting for the 19-year-old rider. “I’m much more aerodynamic than in Junior, I didn’t lower my head too much because I was a little scared. I can still improve a little on road holding because sometimes I zig-zag, people tell me that”he laughs.
Developing his qualities in this exercise should help him become the rider he wants to be, especially for stage races. “I would like to improve both in time trial and in the mountains. They are somewhat similar, regular efforts. They are complementary.” But in this age category, and especially with riders of his generation, meetings are rare. “There aren’t many time trials in Espoir apart from the French Championships, so I wanted to know my level internationally. It’s experience to gain, I hope to do it in the coming years”. This time as a WorldTour rider, and with one more year and the strength that goes with it.
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