Sylvain Chavanel has suffered more than many young cyclists in his short career. Just prior to the start of the Tour of Germany in June last year, he woke up in room 109 of the Holiday Inn in Dresden and noticed his roommate, Fabrice Salanson, lying half out of his bed. Salanson had died in the night of a heart attack. A true professional Chavanel, and the rest of the Brioches La Boulangère team had to regain their composure and enter the 2003 Tour de France with their normal fighting spirit.

The 2003 Tour was difficult for Chavanel but on Stage 15, Bagnères-de-Bigorre to Luz-Ardiden, the Brioches la Boulangere rider looked on course to take a classic solo victory. Then a handbag and tarmac inspired Lance Armstrong to make a legendary comeback. As Armstrong caught Chavanel with just four kilometres to go, he had the good grace to gently pat him on the shoulder as he passed. Legendary scenes indeed, but in spite of the sporting gesture Chavanel must have taken a huge personal morale loss.

Nevertheless Chavanel started 2004 in fine form and once again expectations were high for him in the Tour de France. Victories in the Quatre Jours de Dunkerque and the Tour de Belgique meant that once again he was the “great white hope” of French cycling. Unintentionally, once again it was Lance Armstrong who may have shaped Chavanel's Tour. Having gained the maillot jeune in the team time trial, Bruyneel and Armstrong had no intention to try and defend it all the way to Paris, which would have been too big a strain on any team. However it was Chavanel’s team mate Thomas Voeckler who turned out to be the biggest beneficiary. Unexpectedly, “Ti Blanc” became “Ti Jeune” and the Baker Boys rallied around the defence of the most famous jersey in cycling.

Sylvain Chavanel at the Trophee Grimpeurs 2003. Photo © Pete Geyer.

Of course Chavanel could have followed the example of Sevilla with Aitor Gonzalez in the Vuelta 2002, or Simoni and Cunego in the Giro 2004 and spent his days moaning that he was supposed to be team leader. Instead he got on with the job. On stage 13 of the Tour 2004 he even acted as the classic “stepping stone” for Voeckler. He made the early breakaway with Jens Voigt, but then at the crucial moment dropped back to help his friend hang onto the yellow jersey against all odds and expectations.

Rather than bask in reflected glory, Chavanel chose not to ride in the very profitable post-Tour criteriums, but rather continued to train and prepare for his next big goal - the Olympic Games. This dedication was in ample evidence on Sunday's Polynormande race. On the third circuit Chavanel got into the race winning move along with Franck Renier, Jérôme Pineau, (Bricohes La Boulangère), Christophe LeMevel, Eric Leblacher, Pierrick Fedrigo (Crédit Agricole), Christophe Oriol (AG2R Prévoyance), Guido Trentin (Cofidis), Bjorn Leukemans (Mr. Bookmaker) and Jean-Cyril Robin (FDJeux.com).

With 8 kilometres to go, Chavanel (whose nickname is Mimosa or Mimo) attacked and only Trentin could follow his wheel. However in the final 500 metres Chavanel was clearly the stronger man and his victory means that he adds his name to a prestigious list of former winners that includes Fignon, Hinault, Virenque, Abdoujaparov, Van Impe and Thévenet. Now, 25 years old and at the end of his contract with Brioches La Boulangère, Chavanel must weigh up the offers from new teams, and there is apparently no shortage of interest. Ambitious Phonak are interested, as are Quick Step-Davitamon and it is also rumoured that Lance Armstrong’s new outfit Discovery Channel are keen to sign the French star.

Chavanel will apparently make his decision after the Olympics. A Gold medal would certainly be worth more than any amount of post Tour criterium fees.

Sylvain Chavanel at the Paris-Camembert Lepetit 2004.
Photo by Christine Grein.