Fabien Doubey can leave Pontchâteau with a smile. Of course, in an ideal world, the Franc-Comtois would have preferred to come home with a second blue-white-red jersey in the suitcase, after the one picked up the day before with his regional committee. But facing an impregnable Clément Venturini and a very solid Joshua Dubau, the Team TotalEnergies pro is satisfied with the bronze medal. This is what he confirmed to DirectVelo in a post-race press conference.
DirectVelo: Does this bronze medal satisfy you?
Fabien Doubey: The hierarchy was created quickly between the strong men. Clément (Venturini) was the strongest, Joshua was also solid, and I was 3rd. I’m happy with my race, it’s always a pleasure to get on the podium of the French Championship. I had a very short preparation in cyclo-cross so even if I am a big dreamer and I hoped to win the blue-white-red jersey, I must admit that it is not easy against riders who are the season 100%. I have no regrets, I am in my place (see ranking).
What did you miss to hang on to Joshua Dubau longer?
Used to do one-hour cyclo-cross races. I’m able to keep up the pace for around forty minutes and then it gets complicated. I decided to do errands close to home because traveling far away counts a lot in terms of fatigue, if we accumulate with all the travel on the road during the season. But as a result, I missed high-level races.
“HIGHLY IMPORTANT MOMENTS TO EXPERIENCE”
After your title in the mixed relay on Saturday, it remains a very good result this weekend!
Yes of course. I was lucky to have the support of the team for this French Championship, with staff who supported me. I’m super happy to have been able to start this weekend. For the future, we will have to discuss with the team. Being able to experience a World Championship at home is something (see the selection). The last time was a long time ago. These are moments that are dear. I’m lucky to have my wife and children with me here this weekend. These are extremely important moments to experience, which go beyond the framework of cycling. A World Cup at home is once in a career.
Why did you want to compete in the mixed relay?
It’s true that one could imagine that for a professional runner like me, there is not much point in competing in a mixed relay under the jersey of the Burgundy-Franche-Comté committee. But I wanted to play the game because on the committee, there are people who allowed me to travel all over France when I was young. You also need to have perspective. Without them, I might not be professional and I might not have been here today.
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