At the end of summer 2021 I would like to highlight my admiration for two men, Fabio Arù and Stéphane Javalet. A Champion who is leaving and a manager that continues to be enthusiastic. From these two men attached to the sport values, I draw the beautiful lesson of things in life. With this wonderful Italian champion who will have inspired enthusiasm while affirming his desire to always remain attached to his Sardinian childhood values and this incredible leader who has given most of his life to a sport he considers generator of citizenship. Well done and respect to both of them. And of course, congratulations to all our champions who shone on the road, on tracks or the undergrowth.

LA RENCONTRE

28th professional season for the manager of the Saint-Michel Aber 93 team, Stéphane Javalet. Man-orchestra and Mr. Loyal of a sympathetic and enthusiastic Team, this manager not like the others, collects at the same time the respect of his peers and the admiration of the personalities of cycling, the President of Ekoi Jean-Christophe Rattel .

Driven by values that are completely different from the star system and to any marketing increasingly omnipresent in professional sport, the former educator intends to profess an ethical and responsible conduct line which makes the runner, if not a champion, at least a citizen.

Convinced of the fact that the practice of sport is an inspiring and magnifying school of life. Decided to make his runners not only high level athletes but also and above all, examples. He intends to leads a team in an uplifting way.

The man, now 60, will have known everything in his long career… Success from the start with the stage victory of Cyril Saugrain on the Tour de France in 1996 ; with the title of French Champion from Christophe Capelle in 2000 ; 5 participations of his teams in the Tour de France during the seasons 1996, 1997 , 1998, 1999 and 2001.

Then the loss of his sponsor title Big Mat. Then the descent in 3rd professional division, the Continental. This will prevent him from accessing the to big tours and monuments of cycling.

But in each time, he will find the strength and the will to start again, with in particular a new title of French Champion in 2015, this time won by Steven Tronet who is ahead of Tony Gallopin and Sylvain Chavanel, while his team with no sponsor now names Auber 93.

Today, ‘’Stéphane the courageous’’ team is called Saint-Michel Auber 93. and there are many projetcts. In particular that of setting up a women's team, and also always to finally win the big sponsor who would allow him to make his return to the Tour, the Giro or the Vuelta.

Not yet for 2022, he explains with a smile, even if there is no shortage of good news. Particularly on the material side since the contract with Ekoi is renewed and the team's new bikes will be great machines. Cannondales equipped with Campagnolo groupsets and Mavic wheels. Not bad for the little Auber guys!

For the champions equipped by Ekoi, the summer has been an opportunity to shine on the track as well as on the road or the undergrowth. Whether they use helmets, glasses or other gear, they won medals, jerseys and honors with enthusiasm and passion. Giving the "made in Ekoi" cycling a star party dimension.

At the Tokyo Olympic Games, it was on the track that the stars of the Cofidis team, Elia Viviani and Simone Consonni, distinguished themselves. With gold for Consonni and the Italian squadra in the team pursuit. And bronze in Omnium for Viviani.

Still at the Olympics, but this time on the Paralympic, a great harvest too. With gold for Alexis Hauquiquant in paratriathlon and again in paratriathlon, bronze for Céline Bousrez and Annouck Curzillat. Exceptional results further supplemented by 4th place for Cyril Viennot and Thibault Rigaudeau, and 5th place for Ahmed Andaloussi.

Only 5th in mountain biking at the Olympics, Victor Koretzky made up for it at the Val di Sol Worlds by obtaining 3rd place. Better than a satisfaction for the the Kmc-Orbea team champion , the affirmation of permanence at the highest international level in an exceptional level context.

At the French Triathlon Championships, a U23 title brilliantly acquired by the young Julie Iemmolo. A tricolor hope at the international level and a superb athlete who magnifies the sport.

On the road now, no less than 3 stages of the Tour Poitou-Charentes-Nouvelle Aquitaine for the Ekoi ambassadors. Elia Viviani regained the 1st and 3rd stages with two unstoppable sprints. While Jason Tesson imposes the colors of Team Saint-Michel-Auber 93 on the line of the 4th stage.

Finally, on the Vuelta, a beautiful and moving end of career for the great Fabio Arù, who, for the occasion, wore a specially decorated Ekoi Gara helmet to pay tribute to his finest victories. Leader of Team ProTour Qhubeka Assos, the Sardinian climber has indeed chosen to end his career in the race which symbolizes his greatest success. Respect to the champion and good luck to the endearing man in his new life.

Again in the Vuelta, good overall performance by the Cofidis team and its leader Guillaume Martin, second overall and even wearing the best climber's jersey. Note also the race of the young Rémy Rochas who will have perfectly fulfilled his role as Martin's first lieutenant.

Lotto Soudal (helmets and sunglasses) - Qhubeka Assos (helmets) - Arkea Samsic (textile and helmets) - Cofidis (helmets and sunglasses) - Euskaltel Euskadi (casques et lunettes) - Saint-Michel Auber (textile and sunglasses) - KMC Orbea (textile, helmets, sunglasses)

Philippe Gilbert - Elia Viviani - Nacer Bouhanni - Nairo Quintana - Warren Barguil - Caleb Ewan

Freddy Maertens - Claudio Chiapucci - Laurent Jalabert - Pedro Delgado - Miguel Indurain