Sylvain Chavanel (45 years old) stopped off at the Vélodrome de Bretagne, mid-week in Loudéac. The former professional runner (from 2000 to 2018), record holder for participations in the Tour de France (from 2001 to 2018), winner 46 times among the elite came to encourage his son Maxence (16 years old) competing in the individual pursuit (he finished 5th). “Maxence (16 years old) is not part of a Pole, so it’s me who accompanies him. He discovered the track through the Nouvelle-Aquitaine championship and I saw that he liked the solitary effort,” explains the Poitevin, former headliner of French cycling, pro in the Bonjour, Cofidis and Quick teams. Step in particular.
In the Soudal-Quick Step junior team in 2025
It is precisely in the Soudal-Quick Step junior team that Maxence Chavanel, winner of around ten races as a 2nd year cadet, will play next season. “He had my permission because they didn’t contact me. I know the house and I know they're not going to burn it down. Compared to me, Maxence is ahead at his age, even if I don't really like comparisons,” smiled the dad who, at over 45, still drives (14,000 kilometers in 2024) and still runs (around ten races this season).
Driver amateur
“With Maxence, we take it like a game. I am in my role as a father. There was little coaching but I am here to protect him as much as possible. He started the intensities only this year. Since I'm still riding, we share things. I am lucky to have a good father-son relationship. It’s a good match between the two of us,” said the former French champion who, this Friday, will be at the start of a… horse race in Lyon.
“I am an amateur driver (on a sulky). I try to do one race a month. When I started three years ago, my dream was to discover Vincennes. I ran once in Vincennes and now I'm more in the southwest (Royan, La Rochelle, Agen). I love it! Like in cycling, there is friction, there is stress. A course is 3'30'' and during this time I am at 150 pulses, I finish swimming! », he exclaimed.
France