The newly crowned French U23 champion Alexy Faure-Prost stays loyal to the structure of Intermarché-Circus-Wanty until at least the end of 2026. The talented 19 year old climber will stay one more season in the U23 category in the colours of Circus-ReUz-Technord in 2024, before discovering the World Tour in 2025.
Thus, he becomes the third talent of the Continental team directed by Kévin Van Melsen to be promoted to Intermarché-Circus-Wanty, after Francesco Busatto and Roel van Sintmaartensdijk. In the first year of existence of Circus-ReUz-Technord, already four riders of the team signed their first professional contract including also Jasper Dejaegher (Team Flanders-Baloise).
From his first races in the U23 category, Alexy Faure won on his favourite terrain in the Ardennes, taking solo victories in the Get Up Cup and the GP Range in Villers-la-Ville. He then influenced races such as Liège-Bastogne-Liège U23, Circuit des Ardennes or La Flèche Ardennaise in service of Francesco Busatto.
He discovered the high mountains in the Mercan’Tour Classic (22nd), his first race with the pros, before being crowned the best young rider in the prestigious Giro Next Gen (5th) thanks to an impressive second place on top of the Passo dello Stelvio.
Recently, he concluded the difficult Giro della Valle d’Aosta in second place by ending in the top six of all four mountain top finishes. This Sunday 5th of August, he conquered the French title in the U23 category, three days after concluding the Tour de l’Ain with Intermarché-Circus-Wanty in twentieth place in the final classification.
"Since my step up to the U23 category with Circus-ReUz-Technord, I made an incredible progression. Each race I can feel the difference. I gained power with the help of my trainer Christophe Prémont. We concentrated my efforts more on longer efforts and this new orientation bore fruit in the Giro Next Gen and the Giro della Valle d'Aosta. I also learned a lot on the tactical level thanks to the advice of the sports direction." "From my arrival, I felt a lot of confidence from the sports direction and the riders, from both the development team and the World Team. The mutual respect, the team spirit and the fact that everyone receives opportunities is what makes this environment so special. The number of different winners this season, both within Intermarché-Circus-Wanty and Circus-ReUz-Technord, is the proof. In difficult moments, the unconditional support of all is what makes the difference." "Knowing my young age, the team established a plan for my integration in the World Team and this even a long time before my most remarkable results. The goal is to gradually add more races with Intermarché-Circus-Wanty to my programme, until I make the final step up to the World Tour at the start of 2025. Francesco Busatto and Roel van Sintmaartensdijk greatly benefited from this combined programme. For my part, I'm already thinking of the progression I can make in the time trial events for example, thanks to the aero tests. I can't wait to be reunited with Francesco to make our respective national champion's jerseys shine!"
Florent Debruyne
"I'm very proud of the race of Alexy Faure and Axel Huens in the French championship. Once more, they showed the strength of our team, that everyone receives opportunities and that all are ready to race in support of their teammates. Alexy has shown his winning mentality, like he has done since the beginning of the season. Axel, as usual, surpassed himself for his teammate and confirms with his performance that he deserves a chance in the pro ranks. After the Italian title Circus-ReUz-Technord also achieves the prestigious French title, during its first year of existence, it's incredible!" "Alexy's title is a compliment for our team on different levels. First, for our scouting, because we were one of the only teams to believe in him. During our first training camp in December it was already clear that he had a big engine. Since then, he made a lot of progress in many aspects by listening to our advice. We used all our experience to make him grow technically, tactically and psychologically." "His season start was excellent, he immediately started winning races. His attack on the Côte de la Redoute in Liège-Bastogne-Liège U23 made a big impression on me, it convinced me that he was one of the future climbers of our World Team. He then started an impressive series of fantastic results. This new succes confirms that he is one of the best French riders of his generation." "I'm convinced that he can still gain maturity and progress in several aspects, for example on the tactical level. That's why it was essential for us that he defends the colours of Circus-ReUz-Technord one more season before turning professional."
"Alexy Faure showed from the start of the season that he had incredible physical qualities. His rapid progression convinced us to let him discover several races with the pro races, such as the Mercan'Tour Classic or the Tour de l'Ain, knowing that he was only a first year U23 rider. He won the French title after excellent performances in the Giro Next Gen and the Giro della Valle d'Aosta. The trajectory of Alexy reflects the opportunities and the support our structure offers to big talents. It is a big compliment for Intermarché-Circus-Wanty that a highly wanted talent such as Alexy Faure chooses for our project." "We have a clear plan to prepare him for a nice professional career, building on the fundaments we laid the past months. He will be part of our development team for a supplementary season in 2024, in order to pursue the learning process and his development in the most efficient way. Just like Francesco Busatto and Roel van Sintmaartensdijk this season, he will combine the programmes of Circus-ReUz-Technord and Intermarché-Circus-Wanty next year. This intermediary step towards the World Tour enables him to continue working in a serene way, to continue winning races in the U23 category and at the same time acquire experience with the pros."
