Chavanel prepares for the prologue at Paris-Nice (Image credit: Régis Garnier)
"Paris-Nice: A Mini Tour de France"
Sylvain Chavanel is enjoying life at Cofidis - his new team for 2005 - after breaking ties with long-time team manager Jean-Rene Bernaudeau. According to Chavanel, he needed a change of scenery and 2005 was just the right time for that change. Stephanie Langlais caught up with Sylvain and found out that he's enjoying his racing and looks forward to being co-leader of a well-respected team. (Translated by Chris Henry)
Cyclingnews:Is Paris-Nice a race that appeals to you?
Sylvain Chavanel: The first time I raced Paris-Nice, in 2001, I crashed and was unconscious. I finished the race in the ambulance! But yes, it's a race that I like. I prefer stage races to single day races because you start to feel better from day to day; I get stronger bit by bit. That's what will happen at Paris-Nice.
CN: The bad weather doesn't make you nervous?
SC: No, I'm a rider for all seasons. Whether it's sunny and hot or whether it's raining, it's fine with me! Besides, all of the riders have to deal with the cold, the snow, or the rain, so it doesn't really change anything. We're all up against the same thing. But I do think some stages may be cancelled, like last year, because they've predicted bad weather all week.
