We left Nicolas Edet on a mixed feeling. Winner of the polka dot jersey in Paris-Nice in mid-March, the C’Chartres Cyclisme license holder then found it difficult to fully rejoice in his performance on the 78th edition of the Course au soleil, disputed in a heavy context and whose last step had been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Since then, like most professional runners, the climber from Cofidis has talked physically on a home trainer. Before hitting the road on Monday, May 11, the day for resumption of individual outdoor training for cyclists, he confides in the deadlines of a truncated season. Without projecting too much while the health crisis calls for caution …
“Fed up with the home trainer, it’s boring! “
Do you have an idea of your racing program from here to the Tour de France (from August 29 to September 20)?
For the moment, it’s still rather vague. We are waiting to have a little more information. According to the new UCI calendar, we will be able to work on a recovery program hoping above all that health conditions will improve. For the moment, we only have the resumption of competitions in early August.
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What is your goal this season?
One of my major goals is to arrive prepared for the Tour de France at the end of August. We will try to build a preparation with what is authorized for us at the moment. We are all impatiently awaiting the return to the road starting on Monday.
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What was your daily life during the confinement period?
I did a bit like everyone else, I trained on the home trainer, but I’m starting to get really tired of it because it’s boring. Besides, I’m in complete rest this week so I can take a deep breath before riding in the open air again during the deconfinement.
“I will be able to train in the Perche”
At first, it will mainly be about individual training …
Indeed, I will not be able to join my training. We don’t have any team information at this time. As of Monday, we will enter an observation period until June 1 during which we will have to train on our roads.
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Exactly, what are you planning?
I live in Sarthe, in Thorigné-sur-Dué, near Connerré. So I’m going to be able to train near my home, but also in the Perche, respecting the 100 km perimeter set by the authorities. Afterwards, wouldn’t we, as professionals, be able to benefit from an exemption to do an internship in the mountains? We do not yet have the answer on this subject. But at first, it will already be very good to resume on our usual training routes, especially to redo the land.
He finished best climber on Paris-Nice in March
A climber like you also needs altitude …
I need to climb passes, but in Perche, in the north of Sarthe near Alençon or towards Mont des Avaloirs, I also have hills to climb since it remains within a radius of 100 km around my home. These are the roads I take when I want to do a little elevation. For the next few weeks, this will be enough.
“The Tour … nothing is won”
The Tour is postponed until the end of August. Is it a wise decision?
It’s a relief even if it doesn’t guarantee it will happen. It takes a little pressure off us because we didn’t see ourselves preparing for the Tour on a home trainer. This postponement is a good thing, it will give us time to get back to basics and it gives air to everyone. Afterwards, nothing is won. The Tour does not have to take place at any cost. We must be able to evolve in satisfactory sanitary conditions.
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Of course, this is the major event in our sport. As runners, we all prepare for this type of event. Afterwards, if it is for him to stop after ten days because the disease has taken over, it is not worth it.
Gaël Trévien
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