1. A new start without Océane
The Top 16 goes from black to orange! Orphaned by its title sponsor Océane, who withdrew after 13 years of partnership, the Top 16 is experiencing a new beginning this season. “We imagined this new jersey as a renewal with this orange color which is close to our logo,” explains Arthur Bauchaud, who endeavored to compensate for this departure by the arrival and renewal of other partners.
While several N1 teams have gone out of business, and N2 teams have demanded their demotion to N3, the search for sponsors remains the crux of the matter. “It’s complicated for everyone. We are struggling to do as well with less. We have known for 20 years that our economic model is doomed to disappear. We were approaching the ravine, now we are there. Some have already jumped. »
2. Objective climb to N1
Despite a very complicated context, the Top 16 aims to move up to Nationale 1. “If we don't have ambition, there's no point in getting up in the morning,” says Arthur Bauchaud, recognizing that this objective is not is not vital to the structure. In N2, the Top 16 compete in the same races as if they were in N1. He did not notice any differences in attracting partners or recruits. The only differences concern participation in the rounds of the Coupe de France N1 and direct qualification for the French championships.
“The first ambition is to stabilize finances to arrive at a viable economic model whether in N2 or N1”, prioritizes the sports director, who is banking on youth with a workforce of 15 runners whose average age exceeds barely 20 years old.
3. Vandepitte and chef de file
The Top 16 lost two major riders in the off-season: Louis Ferreira, recruited by Bourg-en-Bresse (N1), and Aurélien de Comarmond, turned pro on the UCI Asia Tour. But the Charente team pulled off a nice coup by enlisting the 24-year-old Franco-Belgian Nathan Vandepitte from Bingoal.
-Not retained by Belgian professional training, on the 11the from 1re stage of the Tour Poitou-Charentes 2024 was then victim of the setbacks of the Ardèche team. “He has the ambition to return to the pros so he is putting all the chances on his side to have a very good season,” appreciates Arthur Bauchaud, who makes him his leader with Lilan Langella already present within the squad.
4. Amateur Cycling in crisis
Declining number of races, disaffection among young people, constraints that are too heavy for volunteers, difficulties in finding private and public partners… Amateur cycling is experiencing a deep crisis. Very difficult, too expensive, too dangerous? Arthur Bauchaud wonders about the many causes of this bad situation. “This is an ultra-complex question. There is no miracle solution. »
Fifteen runners including two juniors
Kévin Arhie (Apogé), Thomas Bibet, Cédric Bessaguet (Apogé), Eli Cron (Top 16 U19), Simon Darricades (Top 16 U19), Rafael Delhomme, Mathis Tiphaigne, Tiago Ferreira (Apogé), Matteo Girotti, Clément Laporte (CC Périgueux), Lilian Langella, Matéo Loustau (VC Noyais Junior), Jérémie Malinge (Béziers), Maxime Panche, Nathan Vandepitte (Wagner Bazin).
Club of provenance in parentheses.
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