On December 1, Stéphane Rossetto (33) who had seen his contract not renewed after 6 years with Cofidis did not hide his concern in our columns.
Without a team, the Seine-et-Marnais rider feared having to stop his career and the rest… But Stéphane Javalet and St Michel-Auber 93 held out their hand to him.
A return to his roots for Rossetto who had already played in this team (then BigMat) in 2013 and 2014. Rossetto, noticed by his breakaways during the Tour de France 2019, will make his first race with Auber during the Tour de la Provence (11- February 14th).
After several weeks of uncertainties, finding a team should be a relief for you?
STÉPHANE ROSSETTO.
I am calm, well in my head, and excited to find this team.
I know how it works, that of the staff and they know mine.
Of course, for 7 years, we have each evolved.
But I know where I'm stepping.
It is a structure which holds the road, which has good material.
Its operation has nothing to envy to some large teams.
I am happy with my choice.
You sign in February when the season has just picked up.
Did you worry about having to stop your career?
I have lived a very difficult time, I will not hide it.
When it is the end of December, when almost all the doors have closed one after the other, you tell yourself that it is the end, that only a miracle could save you ... Obviously I thought I was not going to run this anymore. year.
Who took the first step: Stéphane Javalet or you?
It was I who called Stéphane.
In all fairness, of course that's not what I was looking for initially.
I aspired to stay in WorldTour or Continental Pro (
Editor's note: the first two divisions
)… My long period of uncertainty at least allowed me to reflect, on myself, on what I really wanted, what I no longer wanted.
The idea of returning to Auber gradually imposed itself on me.
My very close friends encouraged me in this direction.
I needed to find the essential.
The essential is there ... Humanity, simplicity.
We talked a lot with Stéphane.
I didn't want to come back like a Little Prince (sic) under the pretext that I come from the World Tour…
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By signing with St Michel-Auber, you will no longer be able to compete in major events on the world calendar such as the Tour de France.
Isn't that frustrating?
I love the classics, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the Tour de Lombardie, I had the chance to compete in the Tour de France, the Vuelta, the Giro.
That's why I rode my bike… But I'm not frustrated.
The worst part is when your team has access to this calendar but leaves you at home for no reason.
I have lived it.
Coming back to Auber, I know what I'm going to be able to do and not be able to do.
Maybe on my sofa when I watched the Tour de France or the Vuelta, I would have a little pang in my heart because I know I belong there.
But, that's life… I'm going to experience something different which is just as motivating as competing in a Grand Tour.
His rant at the 2019 Tour
What will be your role at St Michel-Auber 93?
I will be protected and a leader in certain races which correspond to my profile.
It has been a long time since this happened to me.
At Cofidis, I worked a lot for others.
At Auber, I want to rediscover the pleasure and win.
It would also be a way of thanking those who extended their hand to me and giving them back what they brought me.
To feel a little considered, to feel confidence, that puts a lot of pressure.
If people are waiting for you, but sincerely, it has to be rewarding.
You said you regret the way Cofidis behaved with you.
Are you bitter and vengeful?
I know very well which team, which people really helped me, those who wanted to push me down, put spikes in the wheels or peddled wrong things about me… But I sorted it out.
I am no longer bitter, even more disgusted.
I have passed this stage.
I'm looking ahead now.
Cofidis, I don't think about it anymore.
They make their life and I make mine.
It ended badly but they brought me, made progress, I won a little money.
Now I have moved on.
But deep down, if there are two of us for the victory with a Cofidis and I beat him, I would be happy ...
In your mind, do you hope this year at Auber will allow you to show yourself to bounce back in a bigger team for 2022?
I don't look at the long term.
I just want to shine for myself and for my team.
In France, most of the races are now televised, that's a chance.
If it can give me access to something else, so much the better ... But that's not my current concern.
I hope to be at the top for mid-June with good goals like the French
Time Trial Championships (Editor's note: he finished 2nd twice).
During the month of February, we will face the world high level.
I am not a rider at the start of the season but my condition is not too bad.
Despite this period of uncertainty, I always continued to train.