Léo Bisiaux, Louic Boussemaere and Aubin Sparfel, members of the U19 team, will continue to represent the team in 2024 by joining the new Continental team for Léo and continuing into their second 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 a joint interview.
Can you introduce yourself?
Léo Bisiaux: My name is Léo Bisiaux. I am in my second year of junior college. I am 18 years old and come from Puy-de-Dôme.
Aubin Sparfel: My name is Aubin Sparfel, I am 17 years old and I am in my first year of sixth form. I live in the Vosges and I am a member of the small Cycle Golbéen club.
Louic Boussemaere: My name is Louic Boussemaere, I am 17 years old. I live in Belgium and I am a Junior 1.
What type of runner are you?
Léo Bisiaux: I'm more of a climber, even though I try to be versatile. I'm trying to work hard on time trials for the future. In 2023, I became the junior cyclo-cross world 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 a climber/rouleur.
How did you discover cycling?
Léo Bisiaux: A bit by chance at an association forum. I started when I was six. I immediately got hooked on the thrill of competition, pushing my limits and going to training with my mates. Over the years, I progressed well until I joined this team, where we take things seriously.
Aubin Sparfel: I started cycling when I was 5 years old. It's a family tradition! My grandfather, my father and my brother all cycle. I took it up after seeing my brother compete in races.
Louic Boussemaere: I started cycling when I was 8 years old. It was my uncle who got me into it! He told me there was a small team in Belgium, so I went there and they quickly took me on. I was able to ride with them and compete in races.
How did you end up in the team's training programme?
Léo Bisiaux: After my Cadets 2 season, I had a meeting with Alexandre Chenivesse and Alexandre Pacot to discuss what I wanted to do the following year. I think our plans matched up, 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 allowed me to really progress and discover the highest level. It allowed me to take a step forward.
Aubin Sparfel: I applied when I was in Cadets 2 because the team was my dream. I was able to do an internship in the Alps, everything went well, and I was able to join the team for this season.
Louic Boussemaere: I saw on Instagram that the team had followed me. Two weeks later, I had a message from Alex Chenivesse asking me if I was interested in joining the team. I immediately replied, «Yes, of course!».
How is 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. Then I won the Three Days of 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 della 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 compete at the highest level in order to improve. 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 well! I'm learning a lot about nutrition, about the racing mindset, how to prepare for a race. I haven't achieved the results I hoped for yet, but I'm only in Junior 1. I hope to get good results next year!
Where will you be next season and what will your goals be?
Léo Bisiaux: Next year I will be in 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 and the Tour de l'Avenir, two races that I dream of competing in as a 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 compete in with the French team. I would also like to perform well in the Tour du Valromey, where I finished 5th this year. I hope to do better and take part in some great UCI races.
Louic Boussemaere: Being well positioned in every race, doing a good job for the team, hoping for good results and going on the attack! That's what I love about cycling.
Which race do you dream about most?
Léo Bisiaux: The Tour de France, of course! As a Frenchman and a climber, it's a dream come true. All three Grand Tours are the stuff of dreams!
Aubin Sparfel: Without hesitation, the Tour de France. It's my lifelong goal!
Louic Boussemaere: My dream is to participate in the Tour de France!
Which runner could 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 is different. Take Pogacar and Vingegaard, for example. They are completely different, but both can win the Tour de France.
Aubin Sparfel: I've never asked myself that question! At the moment, I'm more of a puncher/climber. People often tell me I'm similar to Benoît Cosnefroy and Felix Gall.
Louic Boussemaere: You could compare me to Pogacar in terms of attitude: fun but serious when I need to be!
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Léo Bisiaux: I see myself on the World Tour and trying to win at the World Tour level.
Aubin Sparfel: I hope to join the World Tour team, compete in great races and find fulfilment in cycling.
Louic Boussemaere: On the World Tour and still in the team, I hope!
