Meeting our ambassador Stéphane BOUTHIAUX
“It's a fantastic race through breathtaking landscapes.” – In conversation with Stéphane BOUTHIAUX, ambassador of La Transju’Cyclo 2025
Today, we catch up with Stéphane Bouthiaux, an iconic figure in biathlon. As the head coach of the French biathlon team for 11 years, he propelled the French squad—featuring stars like Martin Fourcade and Vincent Jay—straight to the top of World Championships and Olympic podiums.
A native of Pontarlier, he currently serves as Director of Biathlon at the French Ski Federation.
Cycling: an essential thrill in everyday life
For Stéphane, cycling is an inseparable part of his daily routine.
“Pure fun, cross-training, peak fitness… you can't have one without the others.” Today, it’s above all for the sheer joy of riding that he keeps hitting the roads of the Jura and Haut-Doubs, his playground for more than 40 years.
“I started out at 12 or 13, riding with friends from my village.”
Since then, he has never stopped: cycling has become an invaluable tool for staying in shape, escaping the daily grind, and chasing that rush of speed. The ultimate playground, perfectly complementing cross-country skiing to build unwavering endurance.
An exceptional track record
A three-time French biathlon sprint champion, World Championship medalist, and World Cup podium finisher in Oslo in 1991, Stéphane went on to make history as a coach: 7 crystal globes with Martin Fourcade, 8 Olympic titles (including the mixed relay in PyeongChang in 2018), and dozens of World Championship podiums…
A passionate ambassador
“La Transju’ is a legendary name for any skier from the Jura—and indeed, from all over France.”
Stéphane knows the challenge well: the roads of La Transju’Cyclo are the very ones he has been riding for over 40 years. His bond with these mountains runs deep and true.
“It's a fantastic race through breathtaking landscapes, on roads that are peaceful and quiet for the vast majority.” A devoted ambassador, Stéphane will be right there at the starting line for the 2025 edition in Champagnole.
His advice for participants
Stéphane was also keen to share some straightforward, tried-and-true advice for everyone gearing up to take on the challenge:
👉 Preparation: “Choose a distance you know you can conquer in good shape. Don't let your eyes be bigger than your stomach!”
👉 Race Day: “Stay smart off the start, and keep your pace well in hand. That’s the real secret to crossing the finish line with a huge smile.”
Why take on La Transju’Cyclo?
Stéphane captures the pure spirit of the event perfectly:
“The course is accessible to everyone, yet selective enough to test those looking for a real challenge.” Above all, it’s the ultimate chance to live the Transju’ spirit, fueled by warm camaraderie right in the heart of an extraordinary mountain playground.
📅 Join the adventure on September 6 & 7, 2025, in Champagnole for the 4th edition of La Transju’Cyclo!
