ENGLISH TEXTS
show jumping . So , there has always been some connection with horses . During my years with the Belgian team Quick Step ( 2009-2013 ), I met Jos Verbeeck . He let me try it out and when I returned to France , I thought it would be a good idea to get an amateur license . To do so , I needed sponsorship and I received two endorsements from Philippe Daugeard and Dominik Cordeau , who has since passed away . After paying for my license and insurance , I needed a horse . I went to a trainer , Jean-Jacques Beausse , who could lend me one - kind of a mutual exchange . He was only 15 kilometers from my home . Since 2023 , I ’ ve participated in around sixty races and won three .
G . Do you see any similarities between cycling races and harness racing ?
S . C . Not really . Maybe the closeness with the people around us in cycling . The connection with the public , the fans waiting for autographs at the team bus , that human interaction is similar .
G . Both cycling and trotting racing are popular sports . What do you particularly appreciate about them ?
S . C . I ’ m more familiar with trotting races . It ’ s a world close to agriculture , a field I really appreciate and where I have friends .
G . Once on a sulky , can you find any parallels with cycling ?
S . C . Having raced on the track ( I was twice French pursuit champion ), I know what it ’ s like to ride on an oval . Of course , in cycling , a lap is only 250 meters , but positioning at the start is crucial . Then , it ’ s about navigating through the race - moving up , dropping back and finding an opening at the end to cross the finish line . For me , trotting racing was mostly about rediscovering that dose of adrenaline from cycling , the thrill of speed . The main difference is that you have a powerful mass in front of you and a pack behind you . Even though it ’ s slower , it still creates an intense sensation . On a bike today , speeds can reach nearly 70 km / h , while in harness racing , it peaks at around 55 km / h .
G . Is this a good way to replace the thrill after retirement ?
S . C . We ’ re always looking for something to regain the lost sensations after retiring from competition . I still race as an amateur with one of my sons , who wants to pursue cycling . Driving allows me to rekindle that adrenaline rush , especially at the start of a race .
G . Does weight play a similar role in both sports ?
S . C . In amateur racing , there ’ s a variety of body types , from heavier to lighter . There are also more female com- petitors , and they tend to be lighter . I think weight matters , it ’ s important to be light . The heavier you are , the harder it is for the horse . But more than that , it ’ s about sensitivity to the horses . You need to understand them , especially the more challenging ones . At first , you have to process a lot of information , but over time , it becomes second nature . I believe in instinct , there ’ s no place for aggression in the hands . And then , there are also the trainers ’ instructions , as they know their horses best .
G . Have you had the chance to interact with top professionals ?
S . C . With some of the best . Jean-Michel Bazire and Thierry Duvaldestin as a trainer . I found in him someone who really knows his craft . It makes everything more enjoyable .
G . Are you a gambler ?
S . C . No , rarely . But I do have two lucky numbers , 3 , with which I ’ ve won quite a few races , and 7 .
G . Do you plan to buy horses ?
S . C . What I love is driving . If I buy a horse , it will be for myself . Owning a horse and watching it race brings emotions , of course , but being an active participant , driving , is about sensations . And I probably prefer sensations over emotions .
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