“My goal remains the Games”: at Paris-Roubaix, Victoire Berteau shines at home but thinks about the future

The Roubaix velodrome had barely had time to salute the beautiful, cunning and powerful sprint of world champion Lotte Kopecky before it transferred its encouragement to another distinctive jersey. In the second group, French champion Victoire Berteau aimed for the top 10.

A perfectly successful mission for the northerner from Cofidis with a nice 8th place in this Paris-Roubaix 2024 and the feeling of having shone on her pavement. Because Roubaix is ​​the race that is obviously closest to his heart. She missed the first edition three seasons ago due to injury before finishing 17th and best Frenchwoman a year later.

“This eighth place means a lot,” she smiles on the synthetic turf placed in the center of the velodrome. I finished 14th at the Tour of Flanders and top 10 at Paris-Roubaix. My Classics tour is successful. But Roubaix is ​​the most beautiful race in the world and I would dream of winning it one day. I didn’t manage to accompany the five in front because my legs spoke. I hope it will be for next year. I missed a little freshness. »

Victoire Berteau was also happy to have cycled at home. And having the impression that an invisible and warm hand was pushing her behind on each paved sector. “This support plays a big role,” she admits. When I can’t take it anymore, I can still do it because I knew that all my loved ones were waiting for me at the Vélodrome. In all sectors, I heard my name. I was even able to see my parents on the side of the road. And that further increased my motivation. »

The Olympic rings tattooed on the left arm

Obviously, her blue, white and red tunic won last year, already at home in Cassel, helped to spot her in the peloton. “People are grateful for this jersey,” she admits. Last year during the Fourmies Grand Prix, I almost missed the start because people wanted to talk to me. »

But you only need to look at his left forearm to understand that the real objective of his season was not to shine on his native pavement. Since the Tokyo Olympics where she finished seventh in the team track pursuit, Victoire Berteau has had a colored tattoo of the Olympic rings. As if to sink his dream of a medal a little deeper into his skin.

“My goal remains the Games in Paris,” she admits. There are four months left and it’s a lot of work. I hope it pays off in the team pursuit in August. » So, she rides on the road to work on her endurance for the track. Last year, she skipped the Tour de France to prioritize the World Track Championships in Glasgow.

The Cofidis team, his employer, lets him carry out his dual project. “Me and the other girls (Marion Borras, Valentine Fortin and Marie Le Net), we all received the agreement from our teams to work like this. When we are not racing on the road, we are doing training at the Saint-Quentin en Yvelines velodrome. I was there again last Monday. »

If next August 7 Victoire Berteau hangs a piece of Olympic metal around her neck, she will be able to say to herself that she will also have forged it a little on a piece of cobblestone.