Published on : 04/21/2026
At lunchtime, the Cofidis team takes a moment to chat with the people who make up the team. With ‘A l'abri du vent’, we put the race aside for a few minutes to listen and take our time. Today, let’s meet Gatien Le Rousseau.
Tell us about your background before turning professional with Cofidis.
I wasn’t born with a disability. I had a normal school career right up to sixth form. In my second year of sixth form, I had my first accident: it paralysed my right foot. Two years later, at the end of sixth form, I lost the use of my left foot. Before all that happened, I wanted to join the army. My dream was to save people. But I had to give up that dream.
During my second bout of rehabilitation, I was already starting to feel drawn to the medical side of things. I was interested in the human body. People told me about para-sport, about this disability, about this paralysis… For an 18-year-old, it was a bit of a shock. It took me a while to accept it. But I told myself it was a way to motivate myself, to find meaning in what I was doing again.
Before my accidents, I did a bit of triathlon and a bit of handball. But I couldn’t run anymore, so I had to choose between swimming and cycling. I chose cycling: there was more freedom on the roads, and I liked the environment. I spent eight months in hospital and was discharged in January 2021. By July, I was already taking part in my first e-sport race, in para-cycling. Cofidis soon recruited me as a trainee. For them, it was a gamble on the future, and it paid off rather well: three years later, I was at the Olympic Games and I’ve kept the momentum going.
How did you cope with your paralysis?
I had my first accident when I was 16. I didn’t really understand what was happening to me: my foot wouldn’t work properly anymore. I was limping a bit; it was strange, but I carried on with school. The second accident was much harder: I had three operations and couldn’t get the bend back in my knee. Mentally, it was tough. That’s when I really had to come to terms with words like "disability" and "wheelchair"… It was a strange world, but in reality, it affects far more people than we realise.
Tell us about a defining moment in your career ?
There have been many memorable moments in my cycling career. The most decisive one came a few weeks before the Games, during a local race with my dad. There was a massive crash, total chaos, and that’s when I got the call: ‘Gatien, you’ve been selected for the Olympics!’ I couldn’t celebrate as I’d wanted to, but that moment was a real turning point. For me and for my family. My dad was right there beside me; it was a moment of pride.
How did your passion for cycling begin? Did you cycle before?
My passion for cycling began before my accidents, as I was looking to improve my triathlon performance. My grandfather and my father were cyclists, and I’ve always followed the sport to some extent, even though I’ve never been as immersed in cycling culture as some people. I love the sport; I love the way I feel on the bike. I might not still be doing it when I’m 60, but I love what I’m doing today.
Could you tell us something about yourself that nobody knows?
There are things nobody knows about me: I’m fascinated by the human body and biology. At the moment, I’ve got a bit of a craze freediving. Every morning, in bed, I practise holding my breath. My record is 2 minutes and 3 seconds. It’s counterintuitive compared to cycling, where you’re always trying to get as much air as possible, but I’m really into it. I’ve even met a world champion, and I’m hoping to do a session with her in Nice.
Is there anyone in the cycling world who has inspired you?
When it comes to cycling, I’m not inspired by any one person in particular, but by everything to do with performance and innovation: materials, techniques, testing… I like to find out how teams push their riders to the limit and apply that to myself. My goal isn’t to beat others; it’s to challenge myself, to see just how far my body can go.
How do you balance your studies with a career in elite sport?
I’m a student too, and I’m lucky to have a very accommodating school. My timetable has been arranged so that cycling remains my priority. My studies can wait until later. They also give me a social life. When things aren’t going well with the cycling, I go to class and take my mind off things.
Do you listen to music whilst you’re training?
My music is evolving too. I used to listen to a lot of techno to get myself pumped up and fired up. Now I’m leaning towards something calmer, to switch between two modes: a chilled-out warm-up, then a mental burst of energy at the starting line.
Do you have a favourite place to train?
When it comes to training, I love Nice for the climate and Tignes for the mountains.