In the Shadow of Glory: Confessions of Vincent Martins, the Coach with Broken Ties

It was while reading a recent article in Le Parisien, which caused a lot of ink to flow about the Marion Sicot affair, that the idea came to us to get closer to Vincent Martins. This man, long seen as a respected mentor in the world of cycling, saw his career and reputation collapse. Behind the catchy headlines and rumors, there was a more complex, more human story, that we wanted to hear.

By Jeff Tatard – Photos: DR / Bernard Cloüet

With unexpected generosity, Vincent opened his door to us. For hours, he opened up, evoking his triumphs, his failures and the moments of darkness that have marked him forever. This story is the fruit of this encounter, a dive into the twists and turns of a life dedicated to sport, but also tainted by betrayals and dramas..

The Apotheosis: A Victory Tarnished by Doubt

At the end of 2021, Vincent Martins was at the top. Marion Sicot, a cyclist he had been training for several years and with whom he had a close relationship, had just broken a world record, that of the maximum elevation gain in 24 hours. Applause was flying, congratulations were pouring in. This moment should have been the culmination of an entire career dedicated to excellence. But behind the facade of smiles, something was wrong. That day, I should have been happy, proud. And yet, deep down, I had this strange feeling that everything was going to change."

A few weeks after the performance, revelations emerged that shattered the illusion of this triumph. Marion, the one he considered almost a member of his family, had lied to him about crucial details. Lies that not only tainted the victory, but also their relationship.

The betrayal of Marion Sicot: an intimate wound

For Vincent Martins, the shock was twofold.. Professionally, he felt betrayed, because everything they had built together was built on a cracked foundation. But on a personal level, it was a much harder blow to take. Marion wasn’t just an athlete to me. She was a part of my life, almost like my own family. I gave everything for her: my time, my energy, my heart. Finding out she lied to me was like being stabbed in the back."

Vincent does not elaborate on the exact nature of the lies.. But he speaks of the devastating consequences they had on him and those around them. It’s not just trust that crumbles, it’s everything you thought was true. You wonder if every smile, every moment of complicity, was just a smokescreen."

Marc Bracke: an unforgettable drama

At the heart of this case is also Marc Bracke, a key figure in cycling, who took his own life in tragic circumstances.. Although Vincent was not directly involved in the events that led to this desperate act, he bears some guilt. Reminder of the events: in 2019, when Marion Sicot tested positive for EPO at the end of the French time trial championships, she mentioned in her defense the pressure put on her by her sports director at the time, Marc Bracke, to the point of filing a complaint against him for harassment. However, five years after the events, an investigation revealed that the French cyclist had started doping in 2016.

Vincent Martins pauses, visibly moved, before continuing: “ This kind of tragedy forces you to reflect on your own actions, on what you could have done differently. You never really come back from such a loss. You just learn to live with the weight."

He had at the time supported his athlete after what he believed to be a single and unique escapade. He had co-written his book, where the cyclist made excuses and even lent him a substantial sum of money to ensure his defense.

Merryl: The Double Betrayal

As if the events with Marion were not enough, Vincent also faced another betrayal, that of Merryl, his best friend.. " When two of the people you trusted the most turn their backs on you, it's like the ground is falling out from under you. For months, I felt like I didn't exist anymore, like I was a ghost"

Merryl, who had always been a pillar for him, and who also supported Marion Sicot in this affair, chose to make her life with her, while lying to Vincent about the nature of this relationship. A love story that Vincent experienced as a double betrayal, on the part of his best friend as well as the one for whom he had strong feelings.

Darkness: A Struggle Against Oneself

Faced with these betrayals and tragedies, Vincent sank into a period of deep darkness. He admits to having considered ending his life on several occasions.. " When everything you've built falls apart, there's nothing left that seems worthwhile. You feel empty, useless, unable to go on."

What saved him, he said, was speech. A single conversation can change a life. But you still need the courage to ask for help. » He also discusses the importance of three pillars in his reconstruction: sports, writing, and his family. Sports, of course, remain an outlet, a way to channel his emotions. Writing, which he rediscovered in this dark period, allows him to put words to what he feels. As for his family, they have remained by his side in his hardest moments.

A professional return to zero

Today, Vincent Martins' career is on hold. He does not yet know if he will resume his role as coach.. " Being a coach means giving a part of yourself to each athlete. It's a wonderful job, but it's also exhausting. After what I've been through, I don't know if I'm ready to do it again." On the other hand, he continues to follow the evolution of cycling with a critical eye. Sport is becoming more and more scientific, more and more robotic. We sometimes lose what made these moments beautiful: the human, the raw emotion, the unexpected."

A look to the future

Despite everything, Vincent Martins remains optimistic. What he has experienced, he says, has made him stronger.. " Nothing destroys us completely. Every trial is a lesson, an opportunity to grow. I learned to love myself, to respect myself, even when all seems lost. »

He plans to write a book about ittagtell his story, not to point the finger at those who hurt him, but to inspire those who, like him, have had to face adversity. If my experience can help just one person get back on their feet, then it will not have been in vain."

A universal story

The story of Vincent Martins goes far beyond the boundaries of cycling. It embodies universal themes: betrayal that shakes certainties, resilience in the face of adversity, and that profound quest for redemption and meaning in a sometimes unforgiving world. As we leave his home, one thing becomes clear: his fight is not over, but he moves forward with determination mixed with vulnerability.

Vincent Martins is not just a coach marked by trials. He is a survivor, a man who, despite his wounds, refuses to be defined by his failures. Where others would have sunk, he chooses the light, relearning to reconto build not only his life, but also his faith in humanity. In his eyes, we read a silent promise: that of being reborn, stronger, and of transforming his scars into a source of strength and inspiration.

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