A year ago in Pontchâteau (Loire-Atlantique), spectators at the French Cyclo-cross Championships paid 15 euros for two days. In January 2014, in Camors (Morbihan), entry was 10 euros for the weekend. And in Troyes (Aube), where they take place this Saturday January 10 and Sunday January 11? Answer: nothing to pay to access the Henri-Terré complex in order to encourage the best cyclo-cross riders in France, including the elite French champions, Clément Venturini and Amandine Fouquenet.
“No need for a ticket, come as you are!” »: this is the slogan chosen by the organizers of the 2026 French Championships to evoke this free access throughout the weekend. Clément Philippon, the president of the organizing committee, did not have time to go through the archives of previous editions but it has been a long time since cyclo-cross “Frances” had been free.
“We have no right not to offer this show”
It is in fact one of the trademarks of the Trojan event since its beginnings less than ten years ago. Whether it is regional, national with several rounds of the Coupe de France or international with the World Cup in 2023, the meeting is above all intended to be popular.
“I think it’s been more than twenty years since a French Championship was free,” says Clément Philippon. If we succeed, it is thanks to the communities who understood that it was important to allow free access to the circuit. They help us generously, which allows us to make ends meet. »
In Troyes, the budget for the French Championships exceeds 200,000 euros. In November 2023, the World Cup round organized in Aube welcomed more than 10,000 spectators over a single day. At the end of November 2024, the Coupe de France weekend saw at least 5,000 people attend. In short, it is a significant windfall that the organizers are knowingly depriving themselves of.
Vice-president of the departmental council in particular in charge of sports, Sibylle Bertail-Fassaert, is in tune: “We have no right not to offer this spectacle to people,” assumed the elected official during the official presentation of the meeting. “Beyond the help of communities, we also have more and more private partners,” adds Clément Philippon. As long as we can do it, the Troyes cyclo-cross will be free. »
Collectif Métissé in concert on Sunday January 11
Indirectly, the Trojan organizers put a little pressure on their successors. “The French Cycling Federation is happy that we are doing this but the other organizers who are obliged to charge entry could have comments from their communities on the fact that in Troyes, we manage to provide free entry. It is our choice and the Federation respects it. »
Pragmatic, the Trojan organizers also justify their decision by the configuration of the site. “We must take into account the cost that closing the Henri-Terré complex would generate. If we do the math, we win with free entry. That way, everyone will come and party. »
In this area, the French Championships with Trojan style are innovating. Traditionally, the slot between noon and 2 p.m. of the second day is very quiet. To fill this void, a one-hour concert by Collectif Métissé (“Let yourself go baby”, “Let go of your problems”…) will take place near the catering area.
“Last year, at the French Championships in Pontchâteau, we noticed on Sunday that nothing happened during those two hours. People had paid 15 euros and were sitting on benches waiting. That’s where the idea for the concert came to us. With Collectif Métissé, it will give us a little warmth in January! », laughs Clément Philippon. Is it worth pointing out that you will have to pay the colossal sum of… zero euros to attend the show?
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