President since January 2021, Michel Albert was re-elected as head of the Vendée Cycling committee, Saturday November 16 at the La Roche-sur-Yon sports center. “I said I would leave for four years, if the clubs wanted it,” indicates the former president of Vélo sport Dompierrois.
Obviously, they wanted it since it received 41 votes out of 41. « We must now continue the dialogue with the clubs, reported Michel Albert, joined by six new people on the steering committee. Meetings with the presidents are set up in order to listen to their needs. »
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Cycling in Vendée? “We cannot say that he is doing well or badly”
Is Vendée cycling in trouble? “We cannot say that he is doing well or badly, replies the president of the committee, which has approximately the same number of licensees as in 2023 (2073, 2055 in 2024). We need to renew our base. » Comment ? “By structuring itself to accommodate more young people and increasing our interventions in schools, to develop the “know how to ride a bike” program. »
At the organizational level, here again, this is maintained (242 in 2024, against 254 in 2023). But until when? The Tour de Vendée was canceled this year. The Vendée Beaches and the Vendée Route walk on eggshells… “It’s harder than three or four years ago, recognizes Michel Albert, who has planned a reflection on the subject. We sense a decline in public finances. It’s also harder for the private sector…”
The velodrome in Essarts? “It’s in the pipeline, it’s moving forward”
Despite everything, the Nationale 2 women’s team will still exist in 2025. “At the time of the creation of the N1 of La Roche, we asked ourselves the question of maintaining the N2, reveals the president of CD 85. La Roche is looking for experienced girls. For those who come out of the youth categories, I find it important that they have an intermediate level. »
And the velodrome project in Les Essarts? “It’s in the pipeline, it’s moving forward, souffle Michel Albert. It is planned to be made available in 2028.” This would be a nice end-of-term gift.
