Cross-country skiing: fewer quotas, an injury, a new head… France is undergoing some changes for the Tour de Ski
This Saturday, on the slopes of Toblach, Italy, the nineteenth edition of the Tour de Ski will open during the festive season, as tradition dictates. In this competition, which is fully integrated into the cross-country skiing world cup, the French will be keen to shine after an outstanding 2023/2024 edition.
And this year, it’s with a squad that has undergone some major changes that Les Bleus will head to Italy, where the events will be contested exclusively. Nordic Magazine spoke to Olivier Michaud, director of the French national teams, about the choices made by the entire French team.
- First of all, how do you explain the number of athletes selected?
The sprinters got off to a slower start this year. We haven’t been able to take advantage of the extra quotas that are available when you’re in the top 20 in the overall speciality rankings. Only Lucas Chanavat is in the top twenty. So we have six quotas, plus Lucas and also Sabin Coupat, the yellow bib of the FESA Cup.
- How do you explain this difficult start to the season for the sprinters?
In agreement with the coaches, we decided to load up a bit more this year. The aim was to work differently with Trondheim in our sights, but also to set ourselves limits for the Games in Italy. We played hard but I’m still as calm as ever because our guys have the qualities and they’ve already proved it. They can do it again. Calm and patience were the watchwords of December.
- Some of the founders won’t be taking part. Delphine Claudel, for example, is expected to be injured. Is this also why the squad is so young?
Delphine has a foot injury and it’s going to take some time. We don’t know when she’ll be able to start again. In the girls’ category, Flora [Dolci] takes the lead after her excellent start to the season. She’s going to try to lead this small group of girls. Once again, we’re trying to strike a balance between performance and training for the youngsters. The Olympics are just around the corner and so are the 2030 Games. We’re still keeping our standards high for the older members of the group.
“We want to go into this Tour of Ski with the same momentum as when we left Davos”Olivier Michaud at Nordic Magazine
- Other notable absentees include Clément Parisse, Théo Schely, Renaud Jay and Juliette Ducordeau…
With the World Cup in Les Rousses fast approaching after the Tour, some riders will be preparing for it in the best possible way without accumulating fatigue on the Tour de Ski. This is the case for Clément, Théo, Renaud and Juliette.
- What are your ambitions for the 2024/2025 Tour de Ski?
Our ambitions haven’t changed. We want to go into this Tour of Ski with the same momentum as when we left Davos. Our distance runners have made a pretty good start to the season and we’re going to continue in the same vein. The sprinters are getting back into the swing of things. We’re ambitious.
The French selection for the Tour de Ski 🇫🇷
Ladies
- Flora Dolci – ARMÉE DE CHAMPIONS / AS Edelweiss (Alpes Provence) 🇫🇷
- Mélissa Gal – Pays Rochois (Mont Blanc) 🇫🇷
- Léonie Perry – La Bressaude Ski Section (Massif des Vosges) 🇫🇷
- Julie Pierrel – Le Grand Bornand (Mont Blanc) 🇫🇷
- Léna Quintin – ARMÉE DE CHAMPIONS / Le Grand Bornand (Mont Blanc) 🇫🇷
Men
- Rémi Bourdin – Frasne Drugeon (Massif Jurassien) 🇫🇷
- Lucas Chanavat – ARMÉE DE CHAMPIONS / Le Grand Bornand (Mont Blanc) 🇫🇷
- Jules Chappaz – ARMY OF CHAMPIONS / La Clusaz (Mont Blanc) 🇫🇷
- Sabin Coupat – Bessat Sport D’Hiver (Forez) 🇫🇷
- Mathis Desloges – Villard de Lans (Dauphiné) 🇫🇷
- Richard Jouve – ARMÉE DE CHAMPIONS / Méribel (Savoie) 🇫🇷
- Hugo Lapalus – ARMY OF CHAMPIONS / La Clusaz (Mont Blanc) 🇫🇷
- Jules Lapierre – ARMÉE DE CHAMPIONS / SN Chartreuse (Dauphiné) 🇫🇷
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