On the eve of the start of the 55th edition of the Étoile de Bessèges, here is an overview of the local personalities present in the peloton. They are few in number, but all have atypical backgrounds.
Nicola Marcerou
Until cadets at Espoir cycliste nîmois, Nicola Marcerou experienced his first professional race last week in Saudi Arabia during the AlUla Tour with a 74th place to the key. In this year of discovery, the 22-year-old cyclist will put himself at the service of his teammates.
Having passed through the Espoirs team of his training, Vendée U, the puncher had been noticed as much by his state of mind as by his leadership. So many qualities that convinced the directors of TotalEnergies to make him sign professional. The Manduellois, who has achieved his dream with this contract, wants to know what he is worth at the highest level.
Nicola Marcerou from Gard turned professional at TotalEnergies. TOTALENERGIES
Dominique Arnould
Before becoming sports director in 2005, Dominique Arnould had a great cycling career, winning a stage of the Tour de France in 1992. The resident of Calvisson in the Gard region distinguished himself above all in cyclo-cross, winning the title of World Champion in 1993 and five national titles. At 58, he is loyal to Jean-René Bernaudeau's teams: Europcar, DirectEnergie and TotalEnergies today.
Dominique Arnould, sports director at TotalEnergies. MAXPPP – BAZIZ CHIBANE
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Having turned professional in 2021 at Delko, the 27-year-old Alexandre Delettre from Gard has been gaining momentum over the seasons. Not retained by Cofidis after two years where he learned the trade, the Manduellois was able to relaunch himself at Saint-Michel in 2024 with a 4th place in the Coupe de France ranking. His victory in the Tour d'Alsace and his many places of honour throughout the season have caught the eye of TotalEnergies, with whom he will race this season.
Stéphane Goubert
This year, a page has turned for the 54-year-old from Montpellier. After twenty years at AG2R (2004-2024) as a rider and then sports director, “Gouby” has embarked on a new adventure this season. Today he is the sports director at Groupama-FDJ, Marc Madiot's team.
Stéphane Goubert has moved from DECATHLON-AG2R to Groupama-FDJ. MIDI LIBRE – ka shabut katya
Was the sudden departure of Vincent Lavenu last year, the historic manager of Decathlon-AG2R, the trigger ? “No, it's a long process. It's full of elements, little details that made me take this decision. That's part of it. But it's not just that. The Groupama-FDJ opportunity presented itself and I was at a turning point in my life”, justifies the 14th in the 2009 Tour de France.
A rider, Goubert wore the colors of Festina-Lotus (1994-96), Cofidis (1997-1998), Polti (1999-2000), Jean Delatour (2001-2003) and AG2R (2004-2009).
Dominique Serieys
He is a recent addition to the peloton. The 63-year-old native of Ganges, who grew up in Saint-Bauzille-de-Putois, was recruited by Decathlon-AG2R in the summer of 2023 to take the reins of the team. The Savoyard team aims to become a big name on the international scene. To do this, it has entrusted the keys to the truck to this car and cycling enthusiast.
Before joining the cycling world, he made a name for himself by winning the Dakar in 1993 as Bruno Saby's co-driver. He was also the boss of Mitsubishi, headed the sports division of the French Motorsport Federation (2013-2019), was president and CEO of the Paris La Défense Arena (2019-2022) and chaired Racing 92 (2022-2023). A multi-card experience that won over Decathlon-AGR2.
Dominique Serieys joined the French team in the summer of 2023. DECATHLON AG2R – P. BALLET
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