Léo Bisiaux, Louic Boussemaere and Aubin Sparfel, members of the U19 team, will continue to wear the team's colors in 2024, joining the new Continental team for Léo and continuing into their 2nd year as juniors for Aubin and Louic. From their beginnings on a bike to their future ambitions, they share their vision of cycling with us in an interview.
Can you introduce yourself?
Léo Bisiaux: My name is Léo Bisiaux. I'm a 2nd-year junior. I'm 18 and come from the Puy-de-Dôme region.
Aubin Sparfel: My name is Aubin Sparfel, I'm 17 and a Junior 1st year. I live in the Vosges and I'm a member of the small Cycle Golbéen club.
Louic Boussemaere: My name is Louic Boussemaere, I'm 17. I live in Belgium and I'm a Junior 1.
What kind of rider you?
Léo Bisiaux: I'm more of a climber, although I try to be versatile. I'm trying to work hard on time trials for future years. In 2023, I became world junior cyclo-cross champion.
Aubin Sparfel: I like short, punchy efforts and I'm also a good climber. I also do cyclo-cross in winter.
Louic Boussemaere: I help the team a lot with the riding, and this season I finished in the top 10 at the Classique des Alpes. You could say I'm arouleur.
How did you discover cycling?
Léo Bisiaux: A bit by chance at an association forum. I started at the age of 6. I immediately got hooked on the idea of competing, pushing myself to the limit and going to training with my friends. As the years went by, I made good progress until I joined this team, where we take things seriously.
Aubin Sparfel: I started cycling at the age of 5. It's a family tradition! My grandfather, father and brother all ride. I started when I saw my brother competing.
Louic Boussemaere: I started cycling at the age of 8. It's all down to my uncle! He told me there was a small team in Belgium, so I went along and they quickly integrated me. I was able to ride with them and do some races.
How did you get involved in the team's training program?
Léo Bisiaux: After my Cadets 2 season, I had a meeting with Alexandre Chenivesse and Alexandre Pacot to see what I wanted to do the following year. I think our plans matched and I was able to join the team at the end of the season. I think it was a very good choice for me because it enabled me to really progress and discover the highest level. It was a real turning point for me.
Aubin Sparfel: I applied when I was in Cadet 2 because the team made me dream. I was able to take part in a training course in the Alps, which went well and I was able to join the squad for this season.
Louic Boussemaere: I saw on Instagram that the team had followed me. Two weeks later, I got a message from Alex Chenivesse asking if I was interested in joining the team. I immediately replied, "Yes, of course!"
How's your season going?
Léo Bisiaux: It's going well. I started a little late after my cyclo-cross season. It took me a while to get back into the swing of things. I then went on to win the Trois Jours d'Axel. I broke my collarbone in the Classique des Alpes, which stopped me for two months. Now things are getting better and better, I won the Giro Lunigiana and the GP Rüebliland. I'm ready for the end of the season and the European Championships!
Aubin Sparfel: So far, so good! I'm satisfied. I haven't won a UCI race yet, but it's good to be able to compete at the highest level and make progress. I started the season doing cyclo-cross with the European and World championships and several UCI victories. As for the road season, I couldn't have hoped for better. The staff put their trust in me by giving me the role of leader in two great races where I was able to express myself fully.
Louic Boussemaere: Very good! I'm learning a lot about nutrition, race vision and how to prepare for a race. I haven't yet got the results I'm hoping for, but I'm only in Junior 1. I hope to have good results next year!
Where will you be next season and what are your goals?
Léo Bisiaux: Next year, I will be part of the Continental team. My goal will be to continue my progress by combining cyclo-cross with road racing. I hope to perform well in races such as the Baby Giro the Tour l'Avenir, two races that I dream of competing in as a young hopeful.
Aubin Sparfel: I will still be with the AG2R CITROËN U19 team, in Juniors 2. My goals will be to do even better than this year. I am thinking a lot about the World Championships, which I would like to participate in with the French team. I would also like to perform well in the Tour Valromey, where I finished in 5th place this year. I hope to do better and participate in some great UCI races.
Louic Boussemaere: Being well placed in every race, doing a good job for the team, hoping for good results and going on the attack! That's what I like about cycling.
Which race do you most dream of?
Léo Bisiaux: The Tour France, of course! As a Frenchman and a climber, it's a dream come true. The three Grand Tours are the stuff of dreams!
Aubin Sparfel: Without hesitation, the Tour France. It's the goal of a lifetime!
Louic Boussemaere: My dream is to compete in Tour France!
Which rider you be compared to?
Léo Bisiaux: I loved Chris Froome when I was younger, and I think I have the same way of climbing hills. I'm not very explosive, but I'm good at pacing myself. Now, every rider different. Take Pogacar and Vingegaard, for example. They're completely different, but both of them can win the Tour France.
Aubin Sparfel: I've never asked myself that question! Right now I look like a puncher/climber. I'm often told I look like Benoît Cosnefroy and Felix Gall.
Louic Boussemaere: You could compare me to Pogacar in attitude: fun but serious when you need to be!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Léo Bisiaux: I see myself on Tour World Tour trying to win at the World Tour level.
Aubin Sparfel: I hope to join the World Tour team, compete in some great races, and find fulfillment in cycling.
Louic Boussemaere: On Tour World Tour still part of the team, I hope!
