PIn terms of mechanics adjust the pressure in the bicycle tires, the members of the staff of the Tudor team descend from the bus, in the emerging Amiens heat. Among them, Sylvain Blanquefort. At 40, this Birth Agen, who grew up in Ambarès-et-Lagrave (Gironde), is one of the three sports directors of the Swiss training, whose leadership on this Tour de France is carried by Julian Alaphilippe.
The French runner, double world champion (2020, 2021) and wearing the yellow jersey for 18 days, is the real star of the Tudor collective. “Julian brings us visibility,” admits Sylvain Blanquefort with a smile, while supporters massage as close as possible to the coach. “But it’s exciting and easy to work with him: he’s close to everyone,” makes it all right, and also pushes to be more precise. When you have a runner like that, the goal is to put it in the best possible measures to best support it. »»
The team is only five years old
Tudor is the first Swiss team to participate in the Tour de France since the disappearance of IAM Cycling in 2016. The very young team is the result of the merger in 2020 between the Swiss Racing Academy – which aimed at promoting young Swiss road cyclists – and the structure mounted by the former Swiss runner Fabian Cancellara. The arrival of the watchmaker Tudor allowed him to obtain in 2023 the Proteam license, the second world division, and won his first victories at the World Tour level the year.
Sylvain Blanquefort begins the bicycle in Gradignan and spent his hope years in Langon-Preignac. Then spent eight years at the Océane Top 16 in Charente, and her last two years of amateur career in Nantes and Blagnac. Meanwhile, his record has grown (Tour du Lot-et-Garonne 2008, Artois 2012 loop, Route d’Or du Poitou 2014) and the places of honor have multiplied. And it was in the very recognized club of Blagnac that he became sports director, before held this position in Roanne.
Sylvain Blanquefort (the second starting from the right) on the Blayais wines circuit in 2011.
archives Alain Douaud/SO
“Young vision”
In 2019, he joined the Swiss Racing Academy and, since then, his journey has followed that of training. “We are in a growth dynamic and with a young vision, very focused on innovations. Our performance center has worked very well and everyone is very happy with the team’s trajectory since its creation, ”says the one who lives between Lyon and Grenoble, and who returns three times a year in Gironde to see his family now installed in Tauriac, in the north of the department.
Within the Tudor team, if it is in particular responsible for everything related to the organization (timetables, distribution of roles, etc.), it is involved in the sports strategy alongside the other two sports directors, whether in its preparation the day before each stage or in the briefing given to runners every morning, before departure.
He who discovers the Tour is “impressed” by the world who crowds with each start of the stage and the big machine that this race represents. “The team works fairly well so we are happy,” says Sylvain Blanquefort. It is especially quite active. Last Thursday, in Vire (Normandy), she obtained a third place, her best result on a large tour, thanks to the Australian Michael Storer. Pending the expected arrival of Swiss Stefan Küng in 2026.
ALAPHILIPPE AT THE TRAINTS on Monday?
After a first day spoiled by a virus, Julian Alaphilippe obtained a good fifth place in the second stage in Boulogne-sur-Mer. Since then, he has struggled to highlight himself, even if he has not been helped by a puncture in Rouen. The one who won six stages on the Tour between 2018 and 2021 still raise their arms on this test?
He is convinced of this, even if his last success dates back to July 2024 to the… Tour de République Czech. But his good measures displayed during the last round in Switzerland (four Top 10, fifth of the general) seem to prove that he still has fuel in the engine.
At 33, French must choose his fights. Sunday, 28 kilometers from the finish in Châteauroux, and while the Visma had just placed a new acceleration, he voluntarily let himself be won. Probably to try to go before this Monday, in a very hilly stage where the escape could well go to the end. In any case, this is the only scenario that would be favorable to him. Because if the favorites decide to play them, it is a safe bet that it will simply be invited.