Amandine Fouquenet agreed to tell us about her and her vision of cycling. Here is what she told us :
Cycling Times : Hello Amanda, First of all, can you introduce yourself to our readers? ?
Amandine Fouquenet : I am Amandine Fouquenet, I have 21 years, I have been cycling since the age of 7 years. I have been in the Arkéa Pro Cycling Team for now 3 years. I was French Cyclo-Cross champion in 2020 and champion of France hope and elite. And there, I have also just won the espoir road title. And again before, I had been French junior champion in cyclo-cross and I had also had a title on the track.
His beginnings with the bicycle
C.T. : We will start by discussing your beginnings with cycling, your story a little more personal with this sport. How did you start cycling ?
A.F. : I didn't know what sport to do and my cousins were cycling, their club was organizing a mountain bike race. […] I participated in the race and I won. It definitely made me want to continue cycling.. And There you go ! That's how after, I found myself on the road by meeting my current trainer on a race and who told me that he could advise me on the road. So I started on the road and I also won the first race I did.
C.T. : So we can say that it was your family who transmitted this passion to you ?
A.F. : Yes, voilà, that's it ! I really didn't know what to do as a sport. I tried to watch the gym one afternoon, but then it was not at all something that I liked. I got on the bike and I did not stop.
C.T. : Do you have other passions (than cycling)?
A.F. : No… afterwards I like to cook.
Its relationship with cyclo-cross
C.T. : You also practice cyclo-cross, you were champion of France at 3 occasions, in 2019 among the juniors, among the hopefuls as well as the elite last year. What do these victories mean to you? ?
A.F. : It represents pride and it is all the sacrifices put together that have paid off. So I'm very happy. Very happy and proud to win these races.
C.T. : What place does cyclo-cross take in your daily life now? ?
A.F. : Cyclo-cross and the road, For me, it's two disciplines that complement each other., so I'm still learning in cyclo-cross and on the road and that makes me progress, I think, in each discipline each year. I really don't want to leave one discipline for another and how to say, it takes up a lot of space because winter, it's regular trips. We are around only one runner so it's a different organization than on the road, but it takes up a lot of space for me because I also organize my trips, my accommodations…, it is a part of organization.
C.T. : What does cyclo-cross bring you on the road and vice versa? ?
A.F. : It's true that me, when i get on the road, I have less stamina than girls who spent the winter on long rides. So that's what I have to do the most when I hit the road again. Because explosiveness is where I find it : in cyclo-cross. […]. I work on the qualities that I can bring to the other discipline during the off-seasons.
C.T. : How do you see your future ? You want to turn to the road, towards cyclo-cross or continue to link the two ?
A.F. : For the time being, I really want to be able to continue both because they are two disciplines that make me progress and I don't want to give up on one.
HORABGGVY4VSMAGGWLM5PX4THM
C.T. : You participated in the women's Tour de France at the end of July, can we say that arguing was a dream for you ?
A.F. : Yes, it's a dream from the moment I saw that a Tour de France could take place. Of course, when I was little, I didn't watch bike races a lot, but we couldn't imagine a women's Tour de France.. I think young girls can now project themselves and believe in their dream. Moi, I didn't have this option before., but at the beginning of the season having had this possibility, Yes. I dreamed of being able to participate in this Tour de France.
C.T. : What assessment do you draw from this first women's Tour de France on a personal basis?, for the team, but also for women's cycling ?
A.F. : Personally, I came to find out. It is sure that I still have steps to cross to be able to cling to the best. But I only have 21 years old and I was already happy to be at the start and to be able to try to do something on certain stages. After, for the team, on […] also starts in cycling, even if it's already 3 years. We see that we have a difference in level with the other teams and we will work to succeed in securing the best. For women's cycling in general, this is really great progress, it was really well publicized. We really showcased women's cycling. It's really awesome !
C.T. : Sportingly and humanly, what has the Tour de France brought you ?
A.F. : It brought me cash, experience and many other things that for the moment I think I am not yet able to say. It made me grow and it made me pass a level. And collectively, we were really well bonded. We got along well and it was a great experience.
C.T. : Can we say that there was an Amandine, before Tour and after Tour ?
A.F. : Yes, I think. I managed after the Tour de France to recover well and to get the title of champion of France Espoirs. So yes it gave me extra strength to get this title.
C.T. : Do you have any anecdotes to tell us that happened during the Tour de France Women ?
A.F. : Anecdotes, not too… Unfortunately all the falls that there have been, it's really scary. After, I managed to miss all these falls so it was cool. The first laps on the Tour de France and in Paris on the Champs, it was really something legendary [ndlr : Amandine was one of the first women to attack on the Champs Elysées during the 1st stage of the Tour de France Women]. And the arrival too, at the Belles Filles Super Board, it was something great. I really take only positive things from this Tour and I can't wait to see the next times on this Tour.
C.T. : According to you, is there anything that should be improved on the next editions of the Tour de France Women ? If yes, quoi ?
A.F. : I really think that for a first year it was a successful Tour. I didn't really see anything wrong. And as I say, I look forward to seeing future years again.
C.T. : Regarding COVID protocols at departures and arrivals, how is the situation now ? And unlike the Tour Homme, the women's peloton paddock was open, what did you think about it, did it weigh a little on the conscience, the fear of catching COVID during the Tour ?
A.F. : Non, I also didn't feel like I was oppressed by COVID like men. It is true that we have really heard a lot of cases of COVID in men. But with us, we didn't really talk about that. However, it is true that on the level of protection, I think we are a little less protected than men. But after that it's not on that that I made a fixation or that I had the impression of being afraid.
Her title of champion of France hopes
C.T. : Le 10 last august, you became Champion of France Espoirs, how did you experience the race ? Can you tell us from your point of view ?
A.F. : When we did the pre-race briefing, I told the girls that if I had come there, it was to look for the title. The next day, after, on the starting line, I was mostly fixed [ndlr : as a rival] Alison Oats [ndlr : she is part of the St Michel team – Auber93 WE] as she also came out of the Tour. I tried to watch the first round. I saw that it was not really rolling, so I was like "Wow, it's going to be complicated ! ». And suddenly, in the first bump, I tried to ride at a good pace and that made the peloton stretch out a bit. Dilyxine [ndlr : Dilyxine Miermont, Women's Team Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes], attacked in the Pigeonnière and I saw that Alison Avoine was not able to go there. So the, I immediately jumped and we took quickly 30 seconds, one minute, and after, we climbed up to 3 minutes 30, something like that i think. After, there is a group of 10 who arrived. The gap is therefore down to 3'05 '' see 2'05 '' even I believe. And there, I started to say "Wow, be careful ! ». Therefore, with Dilyxine we made good connections. We got along really well the whole race.. And There you go, in the 2 last laps, we managed to increase the lead. In the last lap, I knew she was doing the bumps, but me it was in the last that I had to attack. I left a gap on the descent and immediately picked up speed and attacked directly. I didn't get up until the end. I succeeded !
C.T. : It was a goal you had in mind since the start of the season ? You were prepared for this ?
A.F. : Yes, the thing is that I had heard that the circuit corresponded to me. So I wanted to do well and go to the French championships to bring back the title. After, on paper we can bring back the title because the circuit corresponds to us and others, but go get it, it's always something difficult. I have sucessfully done it. Then there was the turn too. I managed to recover well between the two deadlines, so the Tour gave me strength and self-confidence I think.
His team
C.T. : Now let's change the subject to talk a bit about your team. What are the differences in resources, if any, between the Arkéa Samsic women's and men's teams, in your opinion? ?
A.F. : Of course, financially, there is a big walk between the men and the women after that, we benefit from super good equipment and that's a good point for us too.
C.T. : It makes 3 you have been with the Arkéa Pro Cycling Team for years, what brought you to the arrival in the professional world and in this team ? And now that you're out of contract, what are you doing next year ?
A.F. : Of course, being professional, its an asset, we have great races. It brought me, as I said about self-confidence, several things that made me grow. For the coming years, i am seeing this. So we'll see that soon I think.
Envision the future
C.T. : A little later in the year there are the world championships coming up, can this be a goal for you ?
A.F. : For the world championships, being cutting, I know I won't go […]. I still have time to do world championships. For this year, I am not in the preselections either.
C.T. : Exactly, on this point, do you know your program for the end of the season ? There you cut a little, do you plan to resume or directly switch to cyclo-cross ?
A.F. : I will resume later on the road. And no. I don't know yet how my schedule will go but the last weekend of September, I will be in cyclocross.
C.T. : How would you like to evolve in the future ? On the road or in cycling in general, what are your prospects ?
A.F. : I really want to continue having fun on my bike and depending on the level and the form of the moment, go get races that I would have scheduled in advance and try to play at the front. Why not win a race and maybe a new status as well in a team and be able to play at the front of certain races?.
C.T. : Cycling is changing really fast, how do you see cycling in ten years ? You will surely still be professional, it will make you 31 years. Whether male or female, how do you see the bike in 10 years ?
A.F. : I hope that women's cycling will continue to develop, that we will see more and more teams with good resources and especially teams that can take care of future girls in the world. We also in France, that we take care of the athletes a little more. Because as we see, the French level is still evolving quite quickly and it is good to be able to be followed.
C.T. : Exactly, about this in 2021 you were the godmother of SEF 53 [ndlr : training and training structure located in Laval which allows young cyclists to reconcile studies and cycling from college to high school in Mayenne], is training an important subject for you ? Can you tell us a little more ?
A.F. : It wasn't something I was necessarily looking for., but I think some people need to be framed to progress. That schools can put themselves at the service of these young people, it's really something good.
C.T. : Parallel to the bike, have you studied and if you didn't make a living from cycling what job would you have liked to have ?
A.F. : Currently, besides I do nothing. I tried to do a DUT GEA [ndlr : University Diploma of Technology in Business and Administration Management] after my final exam, but I did not succeed because the courses and the bike are quite complicated to manage. Ensuite, I did a BTS by correspondence accounting-management but it was also complicated because I did not necessarily like it. So I stopped. This year, I did not do anything. I'm trying to find something I like to take up training on the side but it's really not easy. And suddenly, what job would I have done before ? I do not know.
SHUT UP SHUT UP :
C.T. : To finish, we will go to the TAC to the TAC. We ask you a question and you answer as soon as possible.
What is your favorite race ?
My favorite race, I have two. I have Paris-Roubaix and after, the tour of France, which is obviously something we were already looking forward to this year.
What race do you dream of winning? ?
A French elite road championship.
Give us one of your qualities and one of your faults.
Quality… I am dedicated to the collective and default… I can get carried away quite quickly.
Which cyclist inspires you the most? ?
Wout Van Aert
The victory you are most proud of ?
In cyclo-cross, my title of champion of France.
What kind of runner are you ? Rather climber, puncheuse, sprinteuse, He is still in intensive care today. ?
Puncheuse
Do you remember your first victory ?
Yes, it was by mountain bike. The first race I did, I won it, so that's what made me want to continue cycling.
You prefer : route ou cyclocross ?
Small preference for cyclo-cross
Disc or pad brakes ?
Discs
With or without glove ?
Sans
The white paths of the tour or the cobblestones of Paris-Roubaix ?
Pavers.
Cold and rain or heat ?
The heat anyway.
Rather the classics or the Grand Tours ?
The Grand Tours
For you, what a bad day on the bike ?
It can be borders… Curbs and rain.
One last question to finish the TAC at the TAC. Describe professional cycling in one word according to you ?
Accessible.
C.T. : In conclusion, what does cycling bring to your life? ?
A.F. : The bike, it made me grow, to be mature, and then as I hear many people say, we really have a rather persevering mentality. I think that, whatever we want to do later, we will always be motivated and determined to go there.
Thanks to Amandine Fouquenet for the time spent.
The interview was conducted in collaboration with Julie Maugeais
