Loris Rouiller limited the damage. Coming to Troyes in conditions that were not really optimal, the Swiss still did well by placing 5th on Saturday, but also and above all 2nd on Sunday, only ahead of David Menut who is currently on cloud nine in the Coupe de France de cyclo- cross. DirectVelo took advantage of his presence in Aube to take stock with the 24-year-old athlete, member of the Heizomat p/b Herrmann training.
DirectVelo: Let's start this debrief with Saturday's test. We didn't see you at your best in this first round of the weekend…
Loris Rouiller: No, I wasn't great. I had a solid race despite everything. In my head, I wasn't totally there. It happens, I'm human. I made two mistakes on the last lap. Honestly, I didn't have the capabilities, neither physical nor mental, to hope to do better. I had to settle for fifth place. Personal circumstances have made it complicated recently. In particular, I got sick, but those are no excuses. Even though he was in great shape, David (Menut) was on top. But it’s true that I wasn’t 100%. In addition, I took the opportunity to do new tests in the mud, with other tire pressures, but we got a little confused with the staff. All that combined, I wasn't able to deliver my best race.
“THE SCENARIO WAS NOT IDEAL”
But you got on the box this Sunday, immediately taking the race the right way!
(Joshua) Dubau took the lead. I felt that he was at full strength so I went ahead on a technical part. I made the hole first. The scenario was not ideal. I didn't have my best feelings so to keep away guys like Clément Venturini, a super driver, or David Menut, who is in great shape, it's not easy. I still did the job until the penultimate lap then I was caught. David finally came back at the end of the race. I made one or two technical errors which caused me to lose the wheel. We still had to remain lucid to keep 2nd place, even if only the victory counts and achieving 2 or 3 is the same. I'm still happy to do 2. Not being 100%, being sick, it's still good to do 5 and 2. It's my ninth podium of the season, with five victories. It’s been a great season so far.
You had won twice in Troyes in the past…
I love the course, that's why I came here because obviously I had the choice and I could have raced in Antwerp (in the World Cup, Editor’s note). I love the atmosphere here in France, I always have a lot of fun on this circuit. Given my physical condition, if I had been in another race, it would have been even harder mentally. There, I was still able to have fun, despite everything. I had fun running in front and trying to play it double or nothing. It was a good try.
“I NEED TO BREATH”
How did you find the level this weekend?
David (Menut) has reached a milestone. He has less pressure, he had never won until then… He is having fun and it is working. He is a very strong runner technically, he also has great physical abilities. When everything is put in place, we see that it works. I was also surprised by Tony Périou and Timothé Gabriel yesterday. I take my hat off to them. I clearly had difficulty following on the rolling parts, they had a lot of force.
What will be next for you?
I need to take a breather at the moment. I'm not going to go to Dublin. I will take the time to work well in training, in training, and I will start the World Cup in Namur.
France
Cycling
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