thomas voeckler
“I ENJOY CYCLING AND RIDE AT MY OWN SPEED”
Former professional cyclist Thomas Voeckler is one of the best-loved French athletes and remains an active cyclist: Since 2020, the 43-year-old has been coach of the French cycling team. In his free time, he continues to enjoy his frequent bike rides. “Today I enjoy biking and ride at my own speed. I like flat routes best.” Since his time as an active professional, Voeckler has been intimately familiar with SIGMA’s smart bike accessories. “What I like best about SIGMA products is the simple handling and the great reliability. All tours need bike computers and good lights.”
profile
Nationality
French
Discipline
Street
Licence
Connoisseur
Training area
Nantes
Kilometres (lifetime)
700.000
First season
2001
Successes
4x
stage Tour de France (’12, ’10, ’09)
1x
Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec (’10)
1x
GP Ouest France – Plouay (’07)
1x
Polka dot jersey, Tour de France (’12)
1x
GC 4 Jours de Dunkerque – Tour du Nord-Pas-de-Calais (’11)
2x
GC Tour Cycliste International du Haut Var (’11, ’09)
2x
GC Tour du Poitou Charentes et de la Vienne (’13, ’07)
2x
GC La Route du Sud Cycliste – La Dépêche du Midi (’13, ’06)
8 questions for Thomas
What motivates you to get on the bike every day?
What motivates me to ride is simply my passion for this sport! After my 17-year career, I thought I had had enough, but I quickly realized that I wanted to keep riding. Today I enjoy cycling more and ride at my own speed
How did you get into cycling?
I started cycling after I had tried out other sports, like tennis, judo, and football … Cycling was the sport that I liked best. Unlike many other cyclists, I have nobody in my family who was passionate about biking.
In one word, describe the feeling you get when you cycle.
Satisfaction
What was the most difficult moment in your career?
My most difficult moment was 2005. A lot was expected of me after my performance in the 2004 Tour de France, and it was hard for me to fulfil those expectations. That is when I learned to ride for myself and not for other people.
Your favourite drink during a coffee break?
A cold cola!
What surface do you like riding on best?
I prefer to ride flat routes or routes with minor hills. I have started to have a tougher time getting up inclines than I did during my active career.
What do you absolutely need during a competition?
I always have a repair kit, my phone, and some money with me.
What would a perfect day on the bike be like for you?
A perfect day on the bike is a three-hour tour (longer tours get boring) in sunny weather, not much wind, a well-cared-for bike, the right clothes, and a route that is not too hard.
Thomas about the ROX 11.1 EVO
“I can’t be without the ROX 11.1 EVO on my bike tours. I look at may analysis in the SIGMA RIDE App right after my ride. It’s very easy to read the display. I love its compact design and low weight. It’s different from what is normally done.”
Thomas about the BUSTER 800
“I like the BUSTER 800 a lot. It works in any situation! I can ride with it in a dark forest without any problem, and the lower modes mean that I can also use it on roads without blinding other people in traffic. The flashing modes are also very useful in being seen.”
