After seven years as sports director of Cre'Actuel-Marie Morin-U 22, Sébastien Cottier learned at the beginning of October, to everyone's surprise, that the structure was being closed. The 49-year-old asked himself questions about what to do with his professional career. Finally, he will continue in the Cycling world in 2025 at the helm of another Breton N1, Dinan Sport Cycling (read here). Sébastien Cottier returns for DirectVelo over the last few weeks.
DirectVelo: How did you experience the end of the Cre'Actuel-Marie Morin-U 22 team?
Sébastien Cottier: It was obviously difficult, we didn't expect it. We were in the recruitment period, the squad was practically complete… Following the meeting on October 3, the office announced to us that the club was stopping, we took that in our faces. The president explained to us the problem of the subsidy, the transfer of which was delayed in April and that we were in cash flow difficulties for the winter. Furthermore, many members of the office had resigned.
“A FLOOD OF MESSAGES AND CALLS”
Did you receive a lot of messages after the announcement?
I received a lot of feedback, I didn't expect that, from sports directors, runners, organizers and friends. It was a flood of messages and calls, it was complicated to manage for a few days. It was, I think, an earthquake in Breton and national cycling with the addition of Morbihan Adris Gwendal Oliveux who stopped before us. Nobody expected that much.
What do you remember from your years there?
Above all, I remember the human adventure, the good times and the satisfaction of having seen many runners who have become professionals. I met some great people and I have very good memories. I recently spoke with former runners on the phone again and they told me that they had a great time. We were able to have a very good spirit with Alexis Renard, Mathis Le Berre, Ewen Costiou, David Boutville and Fabien Schmidt. This season, we still achieved 36 victories. We tried to put in place a vision of cycling which has worked quite well over all these years.
How were contacts established with Dinan Sport Cycling?
Dinan contacted me after Paris-Tours, as did Laval (Mayenne-V and B-Monbana, Editor’s note). I was quickly able to speak with them. At the end of October, I chose Dinan. The Breton calendar encouraged me more to go towards their project. Both structures were really motivated. I would also like to thank Fabrice Havart (the president of Laval, Editor’s note) with whom I had very good discussions.
“A MOTIVATING CHALLENGE”
Was it important for you to bounce back quickly?
I still asked myself questions if I wanted to continue in this field. I took the time to think carefully because we received a big blow to the head. We also know that cycling is not doing very well in general, whether at the level of clubs and organizations. That's why I gave myself around fifteen days off to allow me to decompress and gain more perspective. At the beginning of October, it was not easy for the runners and those who had to commit to us for 2025. The priority was that they all found a club.
You did not build the Dinan Sport Cycling squad. Is it different for you?
I know lots of runners and not just the former Cre'Actuel-Marie Morin-U 22, as well as leaders like president Michel Danjou. It's a coherent recruitment with half of the Hopes and the other half a little more seasoned. I have always liked working with young people. It's up to me to adapt to the way the club works, but it will work without any problems. There are many departures, we will start from an almost blank page. It's a motivating challenge, that's why I'm not afraid. Until the end of November, I am still an employee of Cre'Actuel-Marie-Morin-U 22. I will actually take up my duties in December.
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