The Tour de Bretagne (2.2) ended this Sunday with the victory of Johan Le Bon on his land in Lannion (Côtes d’Armor). At the end of the test, DirectVelo took stock with the organizer, Christophe Fossani, of this edition and the next one in 2023.
DirectVelo: After Jean-Louis Le Ny, another Breton won the Tour de Bretagne in the person of Johan Le Bon!
Christophe Fossani: It’s a symbol but it’s not a surprise. We must also remember the track record of Johan Le Bon when he was young. We are not European and World Junior Champion as well as French U23 Time Trial Champion for nothing. Johan was a great professional rider who was simply misused. Now he is free to do whatever he wants. He is having fun on a bicycle. I think that runner, if he had been employed like that, would have had another career. I’m happy because before being a runner, he’s a good guy, always very nice and respectful of the organizers.
You traced the circuit in Lannion with him. How did you develop it?
I asked Johan with the services of the city of Lannion that we could find a circuit that develops between 6 and 7 kilometers in town. We validated it together during the winter. As it was May Day and it was broadcast on television, the interest was to highlight the heritage. It was a great first because usually in Lannion, we arrived in another sector since it was during the week.
“A MAGNIFICENT TIME”
French amateurs had never won so much on a Tour of Britain (five stages and the overall) since 2001!
Our guideline is to welcome young professionals who confront older runners. Amateur DN racers do just that. This is where we notice that the levels are leveled. It’s good for the bike. Breton cycling has always been quality cycling. When you have an Arkéa-Samic and B&B Hotels jersey, it’s not easy. I am happy with the 24 teams that came.
The event took place without the slightest shower except for a few light drops in the middle of the last stage…
We had wonderful weather for the public and the cities that welcome us, whether at the start or the finish. It’s still better when you prepare a lot of things. It’s more fun. We approach problems differently when the weather is nice. There is less stress. Besides, there were a lot of people. In the middle of the week, having 3,000-4,000-5,000 people, it’s nice. It means that people needed it.
After a 2021 edition at the beginning of autumn due to the Covid, you must be comforted in the idea of staying at this period of late April-early May?
We will never change. The date is legendary. It was created in 1967 and ended on May 1. As long as I’m president of the organization, it won’t change.
“WE WILL CLIMB MÛR-DE-BRETAGNE IN 2023 AND WE WILL ARRIVE IN DINAN IN 2024”
At the Hingle where you are from, there was a poster with your name thanking you…
I felt emotion. Of course, that does something. It all started from there. The race was created here with my father. It was a beautiful moment.
Do you have anything to tell us about the next edition in 2023?
The city of departure will not be too far from Finistère. The final finish will take place in Châteaugiron (Ille-et-Vilaine). It won’t be in Dinan because with the Covid, we have shifted and out of habit with the Mayor, we always arrive in an even year. On May 1, 2024, we will arrive in Dinan and set off again on our two-year cycle. Next year, I imagine crossing Brittany from north to south. We will climb Mûr-de-Bretagne not far from the finish of a stage on the third day and we will put some “rabbit roads“.
Will there be a change or something new?
I am going to reinforce my idea of doing stages of more than 200 kilometres. Next year, there will be a stage between 210 and 220 kilometers with a final which will be tough. You have to show several facets for young riders. I think it’s important (this year, the maximum was about 190 kilometers. In 2021, the Châteaubriant-Boisgervilly stage developed 217 km, Editor’s note).