On my bike, on my split board, on my surfboard or in my workshop painting, I try to live with my eyes open and share my passion. I've been biking since a young age and it brought me a lot more than I could imagine! MTB adventure has been my job for ten years, allowing me to explore and build projects. I'm grateful for the meetings, the emotions and so much more. Today I have fewer solo adventures. Another page is getting written where I get to guide and meet so many people and I love it. Between art and sport, I make my life as a dad now, showing Marin the world around us, the art, the sport and the love of life.
RIDER NEWS
MORE FROM THE COG WHERE ARE YOU FROM AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
I'm from Nice in the south of France and for the love of the big mountains I live in Thones now. A splitboard/mtb paradise, perfect for raising a kid and cheese overdose!
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE KONA OF ALL TIME AND WHY? (YOU DON’T EVEN HAVE TO HAVE OWNED IT)
Agassiz neon green Stinky in 2013 or 14, sending it, demolishing his rear wheel. It definitely marked a freeride area and Kona was leading. This time was a huge source of inspiration for me, and even if my type of riding was totally different due to the terrain, it helped me to push myself.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS SEASON?
This season is going to be incredible! Bike-wise and in life in general. Of course, I'm excited to go back to Nepal for the different projects we have there. But I'm also super happy to start this story with Kona, the events, the bikes, the media projects! But also my guiding season looks unreal with bikepacking and extreme ebike adventures! But this year I'm also renovating a farm into a base camp and house with workshop so I just can't wait. Marin is growing up and we are planning some mini adventures with my favorite human being.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TRACK/RACE OF 2021 (DOESN’T HAVE TO BE IN A RACE) AND WHY?
My favorite ride of 2021 was a solo exploration on the French and Italian border. The goal was to explore unmapped trails on ridges and summit above 3000 meters high, connect huts and design a new route for a trip in 2022. It was rough and crazy, cold and hard but also useful to reconnect with my inner self.
WHO HAS MOST INFLUENCED YOU?
There is not one name that pops out, but in art I've always loved the energy of painters like Pollock and Basquiat. In sport, the big wave riders like Noll or Long have the purest approach. Ramon Navarro fought for his career and to defend the ocean... I'm inspired by legends like Berrecloth and Zink who push so hard and never let go. Bruni definitely gives me goosebumps with his riding and nerve. In MTB, my biggest inspiration has to be Nico Vouilloz for the career and passion for the sport.
WHAT WAS THE LAST GIFT YOU RECEIVED?
A new Thorgal album.
IF YOU WERE A CEREAL, WHICH WOULD YOU BE & WHY?
I would say the Kiwicha, growing peacefully in the sun of the sacred valley near Cuzco.
HOW WOULD YOUR LOCAL COFFEE BARISTA DESCRIBE YOU IN THREE WORDS?
I don't have a barista around, I have cows and farmers. The only guy I see regularly is my pizza man on a weekly basis. And he would probably describe me as:
On time. Fast. Hungry.
2021 STARTED TO FEEL NORMAL AGAIN, CAN YOU SHARE WITH US ONE HIGHLIGHT AND LOWLIGHT?
Last thing you Found?
Found a pair of goggles in the snow and gave them to my sister.
Last album you purchased?
I don't buy music, but I buy Sherpa's and Anthill's productions.
Last account you unfollowed on Instagram?
Honestly, I don't remember.
Last promise you made?
Probably something about life and mountains to my son Marin.
Last podcast or audio book you listened to?
Something about kids psychology, or a biking one!
Last thing you googled?
Gotta be about house construction and wood heater system.
Last thing you shared?
A incredible ride on a noboard!
Last good quote you heard or read?
"You can always explain an avalanche, but you cannot explain why it didn't break. Be careful"
Last photo you took?
A sick snow ride on a ebike in the Aravis mountain after a skimo session!! Awesome day.
Last time you were scared?
Probably because of my little demon biking! Going fast into a wall, or crashing into a ditch.
