We’re marching all the way to Aigle There’s sometimes a fear in France of “anglo-saxon” influence, although it’s more often a misunderstanding. For example some fear their cuisine is being overtaken by le fast food, worry that Aussie wines could flood the French market, or that the European Commission in Brussels is imposing free-market reforms … Read more
A soigneur is a team helper, whose job ranges from general dogsbody and factotum to masseur and nutritionist. Soigner means “to care for” or “to treat (an illness)” in French and a soigneur is carer, although someone who works helping the sick or the elderly is usually called an “aide soignante“, the term soigneur is … Read more
The Critérium du Dauphiné starts this Sunday. Officially it has been known as “Le Critérium du Dauphiné” but most people called it the Dauphiné Libéré, this being the name of the regional newspaper that organised and sponsored the race. But this has changed, Tour de France organisers ASO have bought the race. Le Dauphine Libéré … Read more
In a series of pieces on life outside cycling, “Out of Competition”, here is another piece. Once someone has started a career and its working out, many think about buying a house. But if this applies to normal folk, many pros can forget about this since their job is not normal, they will be refused … Read more
Spring is now going into summer here in southern France and you notice the differences. One thing is the heat. It can be 30°C in the shade but remember that temperatures are hotter in the sunshine. Above all, the roads are dark lumps of rock and soak up the heat. It’s common for tarmac temperatures … Read more
Women’s cycling doesn’t get the level of coverage it deserves, it has improved substantially over recent years. If you don’t follow much of it, take a look at the Tour de l’Aude. The Aude is a départment in Southern France that lies between the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees. This means it has a supreme choice … Read more
Le Métier is the title of a new book by Team Sky’s Michael Barry. The book looks wonderful, with big photos and fine print. Only I can’t help wondering if the book’s title isn’t a massive blunder. Why? Well read on… “Faire le métier” : combien de fois dans ma vie ai-je entendu cette expression … Read more
BackgroundLagardère is a French company with a focus on media interests. It owns 20% of French satellite TV channel Canal+ as well as other print interests, like newspaper Le Monde. It’s the world’s largest magazine publisher, via its subsidiary Hachette-Filipacchi. Run today by Arnaud Lagardère, the company is now coming under pressure from certain shareholders … Read more
Those images of cols packed with spectators for the Tour de France doesn’t necessarily mean the entire French nation is interested in cycling. Paris-Roubaix got some decent audience figures but today the Amstel Gold is on but you can’t watch it on French TV, unless you have the specialist satellite/cable channel Eurosport. 18 channels, nothing … Read more