He has not reversed his decision and is keen to be precise. Almost three years after the final high-level race of his career, the World Cup stage in Besançon (Doubs), on January 29, 2023, the Vosges native Steve Chainel, who won the blue-white-red jersey in January 2018 after numerous podiums, will be at the start of the French elite cyclo-cross Championships in Troyes.
With no other ambition than to enjoy the party at the Henri-Terré complex. “I was one of those who said that when it’s over, it’s over. I stopped playing high-level sport and I no longer even have a jersey with the French champion’s borders, but I still want to hurt my legs. If it had been on a circuit other than Troyes, I might not have accepted this challenge! »
Regularly tickled by Léo Bisiaux, road professional and current French cyclo-cross hopeful champion, to show up with a bib in Troyes, Steve Chainel therefore accepted the challenge. At 42, the man who is also known for his role as a consultant on Eurosport and his appearances in the documentary series on the Tour de France “At the heart of the peloton” on Netflix also wanted to treat himself.
The Aube event occupies a special place in his career. “In 2018, I was the first winner of the Troyes cyclo-cross and it was only a week before my national title in Quelneuc (Morbihan). I have a special bond with the organizers. Here, there is a great team of volunteers and they bring new life to the discipline. This made me want to participate! »
For the record, Steve Chainel will be the only former French champion starting among the elites. Clément Venturini, titled seven times (in 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 and from 2023 to 2025) will be absent to prepare for the road season. Joshua Dubau, winner in 2022, is also skipping the race to focus on his preparation in mountain biking. Their predecessors have bowed out.
His son Caliste among the favorites for the junior title
A lover of sport in all its forms, Steve Chainel has kept his figure since the end of his career but still concedes five kilos more compared to the ideal weight of his prime. “I come without any performance objective but with the desire to enjoy this whole atmosphere. My daughter Rose was born two weeks after the World Cup in Besançon. I also wanted her to see me running,” says the happy father of four children, two of whom are from a previous union.
His eldest, Caliste, will also be in the Aube prefecture this weekend. The guy has someone to look after since his mother, Lucie Lefèvre, was twice French cyclo-cross champion in 2012 and 2013. Caliste Chainel will be one of the favorites for the junior title after taking his first steps in the French team this winter. There is no doubt that his father will leave some of his strength to encourage him on Sunday morning before competing in his turn in the afternoon.
After having chased for a long time this title which made him dream so much and refused him, Steve Chainel will approach the Trojan meeting without pressure. “The week before the French Championships, I was difficult to live with for those around me,” he admits. This weekend, he wants to “make the most of the party and this enchanted interlude”.
Still technically sound, he continues to cross the boards without getting off his machine. For his physique, he participated in a few regional events in the Grand Est and in the final round of the Coupe de France, mid-December in Ouistreham. In Calvados, he demonstrated that he has good leftovers by crossing the line in 29th position.
The public was not mistaken and warmly encouraged him throughout the course. “I wanted to relive these emotions. I play basketball now but it’s at a departmental level so there are not 500 spectators in the room. » In Troyes, there may indeed be a few more people this Sunday for the laps of honor in the Vosges. The French Cyclo-cross Championships take place at the Henri-Terré complex in Troyes (Aube) on Saturday January 10 and Sunday January 11.
