Bytagand the publication "The triumphant return of the "young" veterans: Benoît Daeninck and his companions on the track at the top of the world"
In the world of sport, it is rare to see former champions return to the spotlight after hanging up their boots. However, that is exactly what Benoît Daeninck and his four companions, Damien Charlot, Thomas Bodo, Fabien Merciris and Nicolas Labussière, have achieved. These five cycling enthusiasts, who could have been content with their well-deserved retirement from racing, made a spectacular return to the track at the 2024 Masters World Championships in Roubaix. A collective feat that allowed them to win the gold medal in the team pursuit, but also much more. We caught up with Benoît Daeninck, and through him, relived this extraordinary adventure. This story is that of an improbable challenge, a deep friendship, and a philosophy of life focused on surpassing oneself, pleasure, and partage.
By Jean-François Tatard – Photos: DR
An idea born from a meeting and a crazy bet
It all started with an impromptu visit. I opened my bike shop in early 2023, and the sport had taken a back seat.", says Benoît. " Then Fabien Merciris came by one day in March and said: “I have something to offer you.” That same evening, I called Damien Charlot, and he said yes without hesitation.. » This project was that of form a team to compete in the Masters World Track Championships, which took place in Roubaix, just an hour away route from home. The idea immediately appealed to everyone, and within days the team was in place.
The goal? Nothing less than win the world title in Olympic pursuit. " We only talked about it half-heartedly at first, but deep down, we wanted to do everything to be world champions.", admits Benoît.
Getting back in shape… and getting back into automatisms
Getting back into training after several years of hiatus was no easy feat.. " Putting the shorts back on wasn't easy, Benoît confides with a laugh. We had to bring in this little buoy that had settled in! "Despite the years, the automatisms quickly returned." What surprised me most was my ability to regain my sensations on the track in a few pedal strokes.", adds the former French champion (11 titles on the track).
The group has found its feet again, helped by the alchemy that has united them since their youth.. " With Fabien, we already had a lot of international experience, and Damien has been racing around the velodromes for 30 years. As for Nicolas and Thomas, they showed us that they had lost none of their qualities, even if they had not done a team pursuit since their junior years."
Group dynamics, the key to success
This return to the forefront was based on exceptional group dynamics. " The chemistry between us took off right away., says Benoît. We've known each other for a long time. Damien and I were French champions together in 1998, our first title together. Of course, that creates bonds."
The collective was the determining element in this adventure. Everyone knew what they had to do. The team pursuit is not just about having the best four, it's about having the best team of four," Benoît emphasizes. The camaraderie and complementarity allowed the team to get the best out of each member.
An exploit engraved forever
The moment they won the world title will remain etched in their memories. " This moment when we become world champions is timeless! Only sport can provide so many emotions", remembers Benoît, his eyes shining. " Months of work, effort, sacrifices, and all for those few minutes. Seeing the pride in my daughters' eyes was incredible."
But their adventure did not end there.. Nicolas Labussière took silver in the scratch race, and Benoît won gold in the points race, after taking a two-lap lead over the peloton. I hadn't planned on doing this race, but I couldn't miss it.", he confides.
A new youth
Beyond the medals, this experience has given these forty-somethings a new lease of life. Damien would say that we have found a new youth, and he would not be wrong." jokes Benoît. Their exceptional performance reminded the world that age is just a number., and that with determination and team spirit, it is possible to continue to accomplish great feats, even after retiring from sport.
The future: always further away
And now ? " My companions are moving into the 45-54 age category, and they intend to continue. As for me, the youngster in the team, I am already forming a new team for 2025″, Benoît announces with a wink.
The only advice: have fun
In short, for older athletes who dream of taking on a new challenge, Benoît sums it up in a simple but powerful sentence: “ Have fun. That's the key to everything. We lived this adventure with a smile, and that's what changed everything."
This story goes beyond a simple return to competition.. It embodies deep values: friendship, cemented by years of complicity; passion, which never really fades; and above all, this ability to draw on oneself to reinvent oneself, even when the glory days seem behind us. More than a sporting victory, it is a human victory. It shows that true accomplishment does not lie only in medals, but in the path traveled together, the challenges taken up by several people, and the pleasure of experiencing intense moments that defy time. In short, these champions remind us that we can always write new pages, no matter our age, as long as we have the desire and the joy of doing so.tagand the effort remains.
