UAE Team Emirates-XRG, Bahrain-Victorious, Jayco AlUla, Movistar, XDS Astana, Arkéa-B&B Hôtels and Cofidis. Here is the list of WorldTour teams that… AVC Aix Provence Dole is preparing to face in the Castellon Grand Prix this Saturday. The Aix club will indeed participate in the first Class 1 event in its long history. “It’s a great consecration. Some members of the team and staff dreamed of it”relates to DirectVelo Clément Delcros, licensed within the Provençal structure since 2018.
“OUR PASSAGE IS ALREADY SUCCESSFUL”
Freshly labeled as Conti Fédérale, a new status set up by the French Cycling Federation and contested by the National Cycling League (read here), the Aix club can now claim to participate in Class 1 abroad. Thanks to his knowledge, the AVC Aix Provence Dole, accustomed to racing in Spain and particularly in the province of Castellon, was quick to benefit from his new label. “Our passage is already successful. We see that we are well received by the organizers. We will try to show on the ground that it is worth being in Conti. Everyone at the club is happy because it’s an evolution. It’s nice to race with the pros”appreciates sports director Evaldas Siskevicius.
There will be others – the club is awaiting agreement for two races, including one in Italy – but the idea is not to apply everywhere. Quite the contrary. “We have to do it intelligently, believes the former pro runner. We are not going to go to these races every weekend. We even refused one because it fell during the Alpes Isère Tour. We will also keep the amateur spirit, and race in France”.
“IT’S STILL A BIKE”
When Mael Soranzo chose to join the Provencal club last fall, participation in Class 1 events was not at the center of discussions. “Aix had spoken to me about this potential rise in Conti Fédérale but there was no promise”indicates the Savoyard, arriving from EC Saint-Étienne Loire. “The spirit of the club is not to sell dreams to runners, appreciates Clement Delcros. We didn't know we were going to do this race at the start of the season, we didn't know the equipment we were going to have, and we only had good surprises. We can thank the staff. What better way to start than here in Spain…”. When they heard the news, there were inevitably smiles on their faces. “You could see in their eyes that they were delighted. It’s additional motivation”note Evaldas Siskevicius.
-Before Castellon, the riders from AVC Aix Provence Dole were able to test their legs this Friday during the Classica du Camp de Morvedre, a Class 2 on which six ProTeams, including TotalEnergies, made the trip (see ranking). The Briton Jo Brookes quickly took off in a breakaway of four riders, notably alongside the returning Alexys Brunel (TotalEnergies). The level will be even higher this Saturday. Nothing to worry the Provençals. “I have vaguely seen a few names on social networks, I don't necessarily know them either, sourit Mael Soranzo. There is a nice field but I am not the type to put stress and pressure on myself before a race. I see it more as an opportunity and a great learning experience”. Clément Delcros goes in the same direction. “I'm not the biggest connoisseur but I saw that Michael Matthews was announced, that puts him in his place. When you see the entry list, it leaves little hope of doing something grandiose but it's still a bike”.
“TRYING TO EXIST”
The AVC Aix Provence Dole will not be at the start to be in the photos alongside some big names in world cycling. “We will try to exist, I am not afraid, our runners will hold their place. If we manage to take the breakaway and have a few riders in the group that is going to win, I think it would be a great success”confie Evaldas Siskevicius.
This unique experience is according to the Aix clan very interesting for the future. “I see it as a bonus, in my eventual career, it could be a great gateway. We don't know what could happen. Why not a nice surprise with a small result to boot”even hopes Mael Soranzo. “We will try to have fun, to learn among the greats. It's just a bonus, we have nothing to lose, promises Clément Delcros. Everyone is happy to be here”. Nobody doubted it.
