Lhe former track cycling world champion Thomas Boudat (1) competed in the last race of his professional career at the Olympic Games on August 10. A failed race in the American final with his partner Benjamin Thomas. The thirty-year-old’s Olympic dream evaporated that day. “A big sporting and human disappointment,” concedes Thomas Boudat between two blows of the pruning shears.
The ex-cyclist had no time to think. He “got back in the saddle” the next day, but not on a bike. “Not a single pedal stroke since this summer,” concludes this great sportsman. Head to the family farm based in Mourens, in Entre-deux-Mers. The Boudat family manages 200 hectares of vines around the Château de Viaut as well as in Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, Gabarnac, Saint-Pierre-de-Mons, Langon, Saint-Émilion, Saint-Martin-de-Cescas and Loupiac . “I came back from Paris and tackled seed removal directly. It changes ideas. I ended the days even more tired than after a workout. »
Wine and cycling by atavism
Thomas Boudat did not choose the world of grapes by chance. “I represent the sixth generation, on my mother’s side, with my brother Nicolas (25 years old) and my sister Marion (28 years old). » The Cigana-Boudat family is as well known in the world of wine as it is of cycling. Proof of this atavism: his grandfather Joseph Cigana and his uncle Alain Cigana also participated in the Tour de France. “They passed on both passions to me. Everyone in the family is interested in cycling and viticulture. They are the same values: humility, respect, self-sacrifice, courage, resilience. »
In the sweet wine vines in Sainte-Croix-du-Mont.
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The former pro runner could have escaped far from the vineyards of Entre-deux-Mers. And above all far from a sector hit by the crisis. “But I decided to stay, out of loyalty. » Thomas, Marion and Nicolas will take over from Frédéric and Françoise Boudat. “When we pass on a farm in this economic context, we wonder if it’s not a poisoned gift,” doubts the mother. “But there is great pride in knowing that the next generation is there,” adds the woman who has just bought the Machorre castle in Saint-Martin-de-Cescas.
“In the family, everyone is interested in cycling and viticulture. They are the same values”
Thomas Boudat is aware that the Bordeaux vineyard is going through a major zone of turbulence. “It’s like cycling, you have to keep pushing even when you’re in difficulty. We are going to put all our energy into developing this operation. I am thinking of the wine tourism aspect with the creation of a restaurant in the vineyards or events (2). » On this last point, Thomas Boudat is organizing the third edition of his hike, both road and pedestrian, on October 20 in Mourens. The former road racer does not want to skip the stages. He is training in BTS at the La Tour Blanche wine high school in Bommes.
Feeling the right move
The neo-wine grower has been going through harvest days for several weeks now. The Boudat-Cigana vineyards are present in several appellations (Graves, Bordeaux, Loupiac, Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, Saint-Émilion, etc.). At the moment, he takes care of plots on the hillsides of Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, in the other country of sweet wine. “The Sémillon bunches are botrytized. It’s now or never. » As with the good escape, you have to feel the right move. “If you pick too early, the fruit does not have time to take on sugar. »
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Thomas Boudat attacks old bunches of botrytised Sémillon.
Thomas Boudat will soon move back to South Gironde to be closer to his family land. And the bike in all this? “I plan to do a few outings with my club (Vélo Club Sud-Gironde). The goal is also to pass on my passion and my experience to younger generations. » If the vineyard gives him a little respite, he could even take part in a few amateur races next year. “But before that, we will have to succeed in the 2024 vintage. Wine is like cycling, it’s a lot of work to achieve your objectives. »
(1) Thomas Boudat’s track record: 21 times French champion, five times European champion, World champion, two participations in the Olympics and the Tour de France.
(2) The Boudat-Cigana vineyards will participate in the “Bordeaux Tasting” show on Saturday, December 14 at the Palais de la Bourse in Bordeaux.
See you on October 20 in Mourens
Thomas Boudat is organizing his third edition of mountain biking, road and hiking, as well as a trail in Mourens. New this year, a gravel course. This sporting event is coupled with the open days of the Château de Viaut. On the program: sport, farmers’ market, food trucks, meals with duck breast and prime rib. The event attracts around 1,000 people. Information and registration: www.vignobles-boudat-cigana.com.
