They all put on their cycling outfit during the presentation of the 2022 Youth Tour de France team, this Friday July 15, in Abbeville. Twelve young people aged 14 to 17 over-motivated to cycle through France and treat themselves to a trip, a unique human adventure in the East. On the program, among others: Morbier, Annecy, the climb of Alpe d’Huez to the end point, the ascent of Mont Ventoux. Top start this Monday, place Max Lejeune in Abbeville for fifteen days of journey.
They all wanted test oneselfsee what they are capable of. “We can climb Alpe d’Huez together. I think we are capable”says Benjamin, 16 years old. “It’s mountain what. It will be hard but I can’t wait”continues Malik, 14 years old. “I wanted to test myself, to see how far I can go”says Théo, also 14 years old.
? Listen to the France Bleu Picardie report with the 2022 Youth Tour de France team
Throughout the course, it will be necessary “help each other, tell each other that if we can’t do it, someone will be there to tell us that we can do it”, hopes Célia, 16 years old. Along the water, a real group has been created since the selection of these twelve young people in the spring. “We are all about the same age. We have forged links to push ourselves collectively and go as far as possible. And also to discover new landscapes”explains Lilou, 16, motivated by the past experience of her big sister who has already toured France with young people a few years ago.
– Bastien Thomas
Instilling values in young people
These fifteen days on the bike will not only be two weeks of effort. There will also be moments of pleasure, hikes in nature, visit of the city of Annecy, gastronomic discoveries and many other activities. But it is indeed an educational journey to teach young people autonomy and self-transcendence.
“It’s like an anthill, everyone will have their task” — Mathieu Puma, animator and director of the 2022 Youth Tour de France team
“These are really the values of this tour”explains Mathieu Puma, animator for the community of communes of the Bay of Somme and director of this tour of France for young people 2022. He will leave with them on the roads of France. “They will quickly pick up the pace, from the first stage, since after 80 kilometers on the bike, they will have to set up camp, do the shopping and start putting away the equipment for the next day”he continues.
– Bastien Thomas
“All the parents I have met have told me that their children have changed afterwards”welcomes Éric Balédent, deputy mayor of Abbeville in charge of youth, who initiated the project in 2005. At the start, the idea was simply to take young people on vacation to the mountains but it was necessary to make the journey by bicycle. “They will have to do their laundry, manage a budget and they will be responsible for their bikes”explains the elected Abbevillois, “because it’s true that sometimes, at fifteen, you’re still a little brooded over by overprotective parents. There, they will be responsible for themselves”ends Éric Balédent.
It will be possible to follow their journey through the East of France on social networks. Videos will be posted regularly for fifteen days on Facebook and Instagram. The 2022 Youth Tour de France will therefore leave this Monday, July 25 from Place Max Lejeune in Abbeville for a planned return. Sunday August 7 in the evening at Abbeville Plage.