At 78, the former rainbow cyclist hangs on his tips after his 52nd cross of the firefighters

He will have touched almost everything during his career. From swimming to football, including triathlon, cross, cycling and even cross -country skiing. At 78, Jean-Pierre Camu, resident ofArçonnay (Sarthe), at the gates ofAlençon (Orne), is a old firefighter but also a sporty. And not just any: rather of the insatiable genre when it comes to practicing this or that discipline.

Sportsman at all costs

Saturday January 25, 2025 marked an important date which he had checked in his agenda for a long time. It was, in fact, his last participation in the departmental cross of the firefighters of the Orne, in Gacé. The test already has 54 editions. He has 52 on the clock. An incomparable fidelity, no doubt.

And, for his last race, he played great lord, while waiting for the colonel “not particularly equipped because in sneakers. I had the tips. On a fatty and muddy terrain, it was wise.

On Saturday, he gave “a prize to a youngster from Merile-sur-Sarthe”. The one who won The swimsuit world champion of cycling firefighters, In June 1998, (exhibited at the Villeneuve-en-Persigne bicycle museum, said “proud and honored”.

A jubilee in Le Mans in October

The departmental cross, he has “never won it”, but often “made 2nd or 3rd”. “I participated in two nationals, one in Évry, and one in Pau. In some events, I was doing to be in the six. “Jean-Pierre Camu, gold medalist for youth and sports, confesses it:” My most beautiful victories are those obtained by team. »»

“The apotheosis, for me, will be my jubilee during the National Congress of Firefighters, from October 9 to 11, 2025 », At the center of exhibitions of Mans (Sarthe). On this occasion, “my godfather will be Jean-Jacques Martelresponsible for the international coordination and French cycling of firefighters. »»

The reason for this choice? “On June 28, 1998, a few days before the world title in football, I won the title of world cycling champion in Murcia, Spain. And Jean-Jacques Martel was absent. »»

It remains connected Music

If his career in the sports world has just ended in Gacé, he does not give up, on the other hand, his other passion: music with the drum or the bugle. It is in Saint-Germain-sur-Sarthe that the old firefighter is diligently exercised.

In his memories: the representation he had made, in Paris, under the Arc de Triomphe. “It was with my music manager, Michel Adam. Music is well known, softens manners. »»

The one who was also French standard bearer at Château d'Oex (Switzerland) For an international competition recalls that it was received, during a race, “the Challenge du Fair-Play” because it had rescued, “with a word of mouth and a cardiac massage, to a competitor who had made a discomfort. »»

On all terrains, Jean-Pierre Camu remains above all a firefighter.

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