Last weekend, the French road and time trial handisport championships took place in Fontenay-le-Comte (85). We asked Benjamin Landier to be the columnist of his own race.
In average shape recently, I started with many doubts about reclaiming my title from last year in the time trial.
However, having become a good sprinter thanks to track racing, it was clear that by being attentive, I had a better chance on the road race. The course of 13 laps of 5 km with a nice climb was made even more selective due to a 60 km/h wind.
Quite quickly, I broke away with Jacky Galletaud from the FDJ (handisport section) gaining up to 50″ before the outgoing champion Johan Ballatore (AIX Handisport) made a big effort to break out from the peloton, only two riders, including Damien Séveri, managed to stay in his wheel.
With my fellow escapee noticing our lead diminishing, we regrouped to benefit from their help, resulting in a breakaway of 5 riders taking turns throughout the race to distance the peloton which never managed to catch up. I stayed alert to attacks from Damien and Johan, my main rivals, and we approached the final 200 meters abreast. Johan launched the sprint first, but I felt really strong and overtook him with full power!!! Damien finished 3rd.
The next day, for the time trial on a challenging course, my legs were tight, but I gave it my all, ultimately missing the bronze medal by 20″ to Didier Legescloud (Bretagne Schuller) and 26″ to Damien Séveri, the winner with flair.
Therefore, it was a very positive weekend where I could show that despite my little experience in peloton races, I now know how to win, manage poor form due to limited training and extra-sportive overwork in recent weeks.
The next important goals are not yet defined. In September, during the same week as the world handisport para-cycling championships in Denmark, the world para-triathlon championships take place in Beijing alongside the able-bodied worlds. In triathlon, I have a good chance of bringing back a medal, but in para-cycling, serving as a teammate and playing for the win if the finish is in a sprint is also very motivating.
But before making any plans, the selections are not done yet, and I need to discuss all this with ANICES club president Mr. Sébastien Filippini, the federal officials, and my partners, not forgetting that the preparation is not the same and especially, I need to garner more support for my Paralympic objectives.
On the world stage, any failure is costly, so to be at the top level, it’s not just about training like a madman, but benefiting from the best equipment and financial stability to succeed in this project because, realistically, high-level handisport is on par with high-level able-bodied sport, tolerating no failure. The media coverage may be lower, but not the competition. Now it’s up to me to know how to invite all good wills to join my challenge.
