In an interview published on May 21, Arnaud Manzanini, founder of Race Across France and Series, spoke about the development of the race. In connection with this, the ultra-cycling course has launched a collaboration with the Van Rysel brand.
Why did you partner with Van Rysel?
We advocate ultra-cycling for all. It’s a bit like the Decathlon slogan (laughs)! We therefore had this common value of providing access to sport to everyone. When we started discussing this partnership, Van Rysel was not as hyped as he is today. When I talked about it to those around me, people said to me: “Are you sure? »
How does the partnership with the brand work?
I am proud to work with them! We are in contact a lot. We get along really well. It’s also because the vision of Race Across that we gave them fits with what we talked about a few years ago. The partnership must be regular, otherwise it is not in our values. It’s not just a monetary partnership where the brand sends a sum and says to us: “see you in a year!” “. That’s not my idea of things. And it’s not theirs either.
A priori, with the enthusiasm around the brand, would this partnership be successful?
I think yes ! It’s give and take, we give them a lot of credit for long distance since many of the brand’s bikes start our races. And for Race Across France, their popularity in the world of cycling is a real asset. 3 years ago, I didn’t know that they would develop all this, they did because they have a very long term vision.
This is what also explains the start of the B’Twin Village over the longest race distance, isn’t it?
Departure from B’Twin Village is also a way of honoring our partner! I was able to visit their facilities and we understand why Décathlon is the second French company to do the most research and development (laughs).
With Van Rysel, this gives another dimension to Race Across France. Do you plan to continue developing in this direction?
Obviously ! We are in negotiations so that from 2025, we will have truly global partners across the entire Race Across Series.
And in connection with these partnerships, can we imagine an expansion of the Race Across Series offer with new courses?
We also plan to continue developing with a new country. We will say that it is still confidential but it is a new country in Europe. I want to develop the series cohesively and take our community to accessible places. I don’t see the point in expanding to the ends of the earth knowing that it would be difficult for them to get there. So by 2025, we hope to have a new country in the series!
What can we wish you for the further development of Race Across Series?
We are not at the end of the story at all. Hopefully this continues to grow. There are plenty of things to do. For the series, we need partners! I am thinking, for example, of the French cycling federation which has the ultra-distance delegation. We are already collaborating with it but there are still things to do! For our part, we will be responsible for introducing people to the roads of our departments.
