The Cofidis team is proud to be associated with the MCES project which contributes to the development of a responsible practice of esport by promoting the personal development and well-being of its players. The MCES Academy is a recognized esport team and a reference structure in France. It develops projects in the field of integration, training and sensitization of a young public. The partnership with Cofidis aims in particular to encourage the practice of cycling and to weave parallels between cycling and gaming.

What is the MCES project? 

Founded four years ago by sports enthusiasts, the MCES project aims to structure the practice of esports while contributing to the development and fulfillment of young video game enthusiasts. Through its centers in France and Italy, MCES promotes the practice of sports and contributes to the fight against sedentary lifestyle and the overconsumption of screens. "Esport is a pretext to bring back the largest public to education and sport", confides Sylvain Vachier, Marketing and Development Director of MCES.

At the same time, MCES has created a renowned professional esport team, which has built up a notorious track record and won major titles on the esport scene (Fortnite, FIFA, Clash of Clans...). Through convincing results, it contributes to serve as a lever and example for the young public that MCES sensitizes. Currently, the MCES structure has more than 500,000 fans throughout the country.

"We have always considered that these should not be two hermetic worlds, but that there are many bridges in terms of preparation and stress management in particular," stresses Sylvain Vachier. He mentions in particular the presence of physical and mental trainers and shareholders from the sports disciplines. This ability to forge links has enabled them to collaborate with the tennis, soccer and handball federations, the handball league and the SailGP circuit (sailing). "These references give us credibility with our followers and their parents. When young people come to our centers, they practice sports before video games and with professionals who give them the tools to perform well.

"There was a desire at Cofidis to get a foot in the esport and to have a responsible and educational approach to a young audience," says Thierry Vittu, president of the Cofidis team and member of the Cofidis Group executive committee. The team's values in terms of inclusion, diversity and solidarity bring it naturally closer to the MCES Academy.

Sylvain Vachier sees the opportunity "to increase the practice of cycling among a young population (10 to 12 years old)". At the same time, exchanges are planned between sports directors and esport managers to "understand the intellectual mechanics, the management of a group, the mode of operation. Meetings will also take place between professional athletes and UCI World Tour riders. "The idea is to initiate and introduce the world of professional cycling to our very young public", Sylvain Vachier continues. A partnership with a taste of experimentation that also allows Cofidis to encourage the greatest number of people to practice sports and to seek well-being.