A ''directeur sportif'' (
French
French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to France
** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents
** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
for
sporting director, although the original French term is often used in English-language media; plural ''directeurs sportifs'') is a person directing a
cycling team
A cycling team is a group of cycle sport, cyclists who join a team or are acquired and train together to compete in bicycle racing, bicycle races whether amateur or professional – and the supporting personnel. Cycling teams are most important i ...
during a
road bicycle racing
Road bicycle racing is the cycle sport discipline of road cycling, held primarily on Road surface, paved roads. Road racing is the most popular professional sport, professional form of bicycle racing, in terms of numbers of competitors, events and ...
event. It is seen as the equivalent to a field manager in baseball, or a head coach in football. At professional level, a directeur sportif follows the team in a car and communicates with riders, personnel and race officials by
radio.
The directeur sportif warns of obstacles or challenging terrain, updates the team on the situation in the race, and provides mechanical help. The car carrying the directeur sportif also usually carries a
bicycle mechanic with spare
bikes,
wheels and parts. It also carries spare water bottles, food and medical equipment.
Since the late 1990s, the role has increased, in keeping with better team cohesion, tactics and
communication and
telemetry equipment. The directeur sportif can have split times, find where riders from other teams are in the race, and dictate orders to riders. This has made teamwork and tactics more important.
A directeur sportif can also be involved in the riders' training and racing programme. Many are former professionals, such as
Johan Bruyneel and
Sean Yates.
Gord Fraser Gordon Fraser may refer to:
*Gord Fraser (cyclist) (born 1968), Canadian road bicycle racer
*Gord Fraser (ice hockey) (1902–1966), Canadian professional hockey player
*Gordon Fraser (publisher) (1911–1981), British publisher
*Gordon Fraser (act ...
described his role as directeur sportif as follows:
Several directeurs sportifs are also associated with famous riders whom they have nurtured.
Patrick Lefevère
Patrick Lefevere (born 6 January 1955) is a Belgian former professional cyclist, who currently serves as the general manager of UCI WorldTeam . According to the ranking site '' Cycling Ranking'' he is the most successful cycling manager in histo ...
with
Johan Museeuw and
Tom Boonen,
Cyrille Guimard's relationship with
Lucien Van Impe,
Bernard Hinault, and later
Laurent Fignon as well as a young
Greg LeMond prior to his Tour victories;
Jean de Gribaldy with
Sean Kelly and
Joaquim Agostinho; and Bruyneel with
Lance Armstrong are examples. Others include Guillaume “Lomme” Driessens who was a Directeur for
Eddy Merckx and
Roger Legeay who directed LeMond during his win in the
1990 Tour de France
The 1990 Tour de France was the 77th edition of the Tour de France, one of cycling's Grand Tours. It took place between 30 June and 22 July 1990. The race consisted of 21 stages and a prologue. American Greg LeMond () repeated his 1989 victory ...
.
References
External links
Complete French site about Jean de Gribaldy
{{DEFAULTSORT:Directeur Sportif
Road bicycle racing terminology
Management occupations