Fontaine-le-Comte. Last Friday, it was here in Vienne, a few kilometers south of Poitiers that Alain Clouet lowered the flag for the last time at the TPC. His TPC. The charismatic organizer of the Tour Poitou-Charentes in Nouvelle Aquitaine (2.1), at the helm since 2001, president of the organizing committee and of the Chasseneuillaise association Poitou-Charentes Animation, decided, in this Olympic year, to pass the torch. Of course, he will not really leave the ship and will still be present with this team of loyal and dedicated volunteers in 2025. But with fewer responsibilities and the pride of leaving the place not specifically to one person but to an entire group. “Not only will I still be here next year, but I won’t just be here for a walk. That’s very clear.”he says, smiling, next to DirectVelo.
“THE DESIRE TO TRANSMIT”
“I am keeping a close eye on what is happening and what will happen. We have to finalize our stopover towns for next year. They will always be able to count on me to support and advise. But I will clearly take my distance and hand over. The handover, particularly with partners and town halls, is important. I know that some have been attached to me for all this time, but what matters above all is the attachment they have for the TPC.”Alain Clouet is going to move, including literally, since he plans to sell his property and move to Saint-Nazaire for personal reasons. “I will be 2h30 from Poitiers, it will not be the same. But the distance will not prevent me from continuing to manage, for example, the administrative part with Mathieu (Rouard). If I am needed, I will be there. I always have the desire to pass on my knowledge.”.
However, in the year of his 70th birthday, the man with the always mischievous and benevolent look was more convinced than ever that it was time to leave the leading role, something he had been thinking about for several seasons already. “What matters is that the TPC continues to exist. It is good to change the presidency, it will bring new blood”. Alain Clouet’s right-hand man for many years, Nicolas Rougeon is expected to take the reins of the Class 1 event. “He has all the skills to lead the event. But Poitou-Charentes Animation does not stop at the TPC. There are the Amateurs, our two women’s races… It is first and foremost a group of people who will work together.”.
A FOUR-STEP FORMULA THAT WILL BE RENEWED
And seeing the quality of the work carried out over the years and the combination of good atmosphere and seriousness which reigns over the summer stage race, there is little doubt that the story should be beautiful for a long time to come. “I can pass the torch with reassurance. I am proud of this team and I know that it is capable of functioning very well in the coming years. This was already the case for a week here. I was not alone, I did not manage everything. There are people who work. We have veterans, who have experience, and new blood, young people who have been here for some time now for some time too.”The loyalty of the vast majority of volunteers of the Tour Poitou-Charentes is another source of pride for the former host and speaker. “Seeing new faces, young people joining the team, and taking time off to come back the following year, makes me very happy. There is an attachment to our event and to our team. This state of mind that is transmitted between everyone, it’s great.”.
From a purely sporting point of view, this 2024 edition, won like last year by the Norwegian Soren Waerenskjold (Uno-X Mobility) was an opportunity to change the format with the removal of the short Thursday morning stage. Usually, five stages were on the program including a road race and a timed effort on the same day, the day before the usual final finish in Poitiers. This time, only the individual time trial (extended by a few kilometers) was organized on Thursday, for a total of four stages compared to five previously. This formula will most certainly be renewed next year for the 39th edition. “It’s easier this way. On the other hand, there’s little chance that the time will be as long next year. We’ll certainly reduce the distance a little, by a few kilometers. It will be better.”. There are also plans to offer a longer online stage during the week, which could possibly exceed 200 km. But nothing has been decided yet. One thing is certain, however, this will no longer happen under the presidency of Alain Clouet.
2024 © 
