Baptiste Carrere has become accustomed to playing in the Top 10. Further back last year for his debut in the Junior category, the Landais – he lives in Dax – has been particularly consistent this season in the Coupe de France. From Nommay (twice 11th) via Pierric (4th and 9th), to Troyes last weekend (17th Saturday, 8th Sunday), he takes pleasure in running at the front. “So far, this is my best season in cyclo-cross. I'm pretty happy, I have great feelings. I didn’t necessarily expect it but after the first races, I understood that it was going to do it”he admits to DirectVeloon the sidelines of the Aube double event. “I hope to maintain the podium in the general classification in the Coupe de France until the end and keep in shape, with the French Championship in my sights”.
On Sunday, Baptiste Carrere had a good race, without ever having had time to hope for a podium despite everything (see ranking). “I got off to a good start. I tried to follow the best but I felt that I didn't really have the legs. I stayed 6th almost the entire race, then Johan Blanc fell. Two runners came back at the end. I tried to hold on but it became too hard”.
NOT A FAN OF VERY MUDDY CONDITIONS
On Saturday, he suffered in conditions that he hardly liked. “It was a little too muddy. It was very cold, I don't like it. This time it suited me better”concedes the man who started Cycling around ten years ago, following in the footsteps of his brother Tristan, former French track champion but who stopped competing last year.
For the second part of the season, does he hope to wear the Blues jersey? “I think it’s going to be hard. I don't think about it too much. It's a goal but you have to be realistic, there are six riders better than me at the moment, I don't really have my place. But why not in Besançon”he blurts out all the same, as if to convince himself that the door is not closed.
France
Cycling
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