VIP News 14

Enthusiastic. I'm excited by the great performances of the champions in the last few weeks. This really makes cycling an antidote to all the ills and anxieties that plague our society.

The bicycle, whatever the type discipline or use, isat the start of summer 2022, a formidable reservoir of optimism and happiness.

First through direct and unfiltered contact with nature, then by the concrete feeling of a regained freedom, and finally by a citizen right to be different, in terms of leisure, competition or transport.

I remember my first rides as a child… It was absolute bliss… Between happiness and passion. It’s the same feeling that i have today when I ride my Ekoi De Rosa Venti with friends or for trip in this luminous Estérel that has become a playground for all of us at EKOI.

Obviously, dear friends of the Ekoi community, I associate you unreservedly with this happiness. As I also do with our champions and our ambassadors, on all cycling fronts.

From shared bike rides to shared bike rides, from exploits to exploits, from races to races, from meetings to meetings, the bike now imposes its playful and sporty practice as a modern bulwark against the difficulties of an era on a rough slope.

Long live to the bike!

JC.Rattel

As several great champions are about to bow out, let's take a friendly and admiring look at Philippe Gilbert. With a total of 80 professional victories to his credit, the Belgian champion is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious riders of his golden generation.

Extraordinary puncher, at ease on the flat roads as well as on bumps, devourer of cobblestones and author of memorable long-distance breakaways, Philippe Gilbert will compete his last Tour de France and celebrate his 40th birthday on July 5. The 2022 season will indeed be the last of his prestigious athletic career.

Revealed in France, with in particular prestigious victories in the Trophée des Grimpeurs and on the Tour du Haut-Var, Philippe quickly appeared among the bests in the world.

His dazzling track record includes 2 Tours of Lombardy, 2 Paris Tours, 4 Amstel Gold Races, La Flèche Wallonne, the Tour of Flanders, Paris Roubaix, the Classica San Sebastian, the Strade Bianche, 3 national titles and a world title. Not to mention stage victories on the three Grand Tours.

Most often spectacular victories after long breakaways or uphill sprints against opponents named Alejandro Valverde, Davide Rebellin or Danilo Di Luca, the famous classic killers.

A true warrior of the peloton, sympathetic in the city but ruthless in race, this romantic has always practiced his sport with respect of public and sponsors in mind, giving to see and dream to the admiring young hopefuls , his cycling passion and sport always irrigating his life.

Image champion for Ekoi, Philippe the Magnificent has become a familiar face at the Fréjus showroom, taking advantage of his regular visits to talk to technicians and stylists.

As his final finish banner looms, the entire Ekoi family, the President Jean-Christophe Rattel, wish him a good Tour and good luck for a future that will most certainly be built around cycling.