Bytagand the publication "Didier and Eddy Le Huitouze: a life on two wheels"
Cycling in the heritagetage
There are families where cycling isn't just a sport: it's a way of life, a philosophy that's passed down from generation to generation. For the Le Huitouze family, cycling isn't just a passion, it's a heritage.tagwhich is experienced with every pedal stroke, every turn, every effort. Didier, the father, left his mark on the amateur pelotons, while Eddy, the son, transformed this heritagetagand into a professional career, carrying the family name higher and further.
By Jeff Tatard – Photos: DR
It was in the privacy of his home, surrounded by racing memorabilia and carefully maintained bikes, that Didier opened his door to 3bikesNo artifice here, no frills. Just a man who speaks of his journey, his passion, his son with obvious simplicity and wisdom, but also a palpable strength of character. This is not an ordinary story, but one of a life shaped by route, through effort, through sacrifices, but above all through a simple and profound truth: For the Le Huitouze family, cycling is a way of living, of thinking, of surpassing oneself.
A childhood nourished by passion
The story of Didier and Eddy begins in Morbihan, in this region where cycling is more than a sport, it's almost a religion. Didier, a young boy, was immersed in the world of cycling from a very young age. With his brother Dominique, he grew up on the routeBreton races, where the pelotons set off with the energy of an entire people. My brother and I spent our time on bikes when we were little., confides Didier. It wasn't a choice, it was obvious. The bicycle was in their DNA. It was born with them..
But as is often the case in passionate families, it's not just a question of riding a bike, but of understanding what it represents. For Didier, cycling is a school of life.It is through cycling that he learns the value of effort, of work, but also the beauty of struggle and perseverance. The bicycle becomes his companion route, a faithful friend with whom he sharestagand his dreams and aspirations. Our parents enrolled us at UC Auray, mainly for insurance reasons, but very quickly, passion caught up with us., says Didier, with a wry smile, but a look full of memories.
The first races were also a test, an initiation. In 1980, Didier won his first victory at Lambel-Camors, a moment forever etched in his memory. I was a cadet 2, and this victory… it was something.”, he recalls with undiminished emotion. It's not so much the trophy that matters, but the experience, the feeling of having been part of something bigger, of having fought for an ideal. And Over the years, the victories have followed one another: 114 total, including a record 24 wins in a single season in 1990.
But Didier wasn't looking for glory. What motivated him was action. My driving force was to be in front, to be a player in the race, to fight for every centimeter.", he confides. For him, cycling is not about the search for the title or the reconbirth, but the desire to give one's all, to be fully present, to push one's limits ever further.
A school of life, a transmission of love
Didier saw cycling as a school of life. It was this vision that guided him when he became a father. When Eddy grew up, he was immersed in this same passion, but without ever being pushed, forced. " With Eddy, it was never difficult. He was always up for it, always motivated.", says Didier with tenderness in his voice. He is a boy naturally attracted to cycling, to the effort, to the competition, but without pressure, just for the pleasure.
The two ride together in the evening, after school for Eddy and after work for Didier.. " We sprinted to the signs, just for fun. But behind these moments of relaxation, there were always lessons, subtle exchanges.", adds Didier. These are the moments bytagés, this natural complicity, who will forget Eddy's career. There is no magic formula, just a slow but profound transmission, from one father to his son, from one enthusiast to another.
Eddy grew up and progressed at an impressive speed. From his earliest years, he distinguished himself in races and won the Madiot Trophy as a cadet. From the junior level, he was already above. In the cadet level, he got noticed, and it was a logical progression.", recalls Didier, who never seems surprised by his son's successes. It's not arrogance, but a deep conviction that history was mapped out. When Eddy turns professional, Didier knows it's no coincidence. « It was obvious. »
A first name, a tribute
Eddy's first name has a special meaning. It wasn't chosen at random. For Didier, it was a tribute.. A tribute to Eddy Merckx, the Cannibal, the greatest champion that cycling has ever known. When I was young, I saw Merckx winning everything, crushing his competitors, but he was always sensitive. I told myself that if one day I had a son, I would name him Eddy, in homage to this great champion.", explains Didier, with a hint of nostalgia in his voice.
This first name was not only a tribute, it was also a form of prediction. Eddy Le Huitouze is no ordinary runner. He has tried his hand at everything: route, time trial, cyclo-cross, track. A rare versatility, a gift for cycling in all its forms. Eddy loves being on his bike. When he was young, it was a real struggle to get him to take a break from winter.", says Didier, laughing. It is this unwavering passion, this love of cycling in all its dimensions, which makes Eddy's strength.
But despite the grandeur of the name, Didier was always careful not to put too much pressure on his son. I never gave him orders. Just advice." he said, his tone wise. And the most important advice? " Let him remain himself"
The Bretagne: a fertile land for cycling
The Breton roots of the Le Huitouze are at the heart of their character. In BretagNo, cycling is not just a leisure activity, it is a real culture, a way of life. Cycling is a cult here, more so than anywhere else in France., confides Didier. And it's not just a question of passion: it's a daily fight against the elements, against the wind, the rain, the steep hills. Bad weather builds character. On a bike, you need character. Otherwise, you can't do it. »
This tenacity, this ability to withstand the most difficult conditions, is what makes Eddy strong.He is not only an excellent cyclist, he is a warrior, able to absorb, to adapt his body and his mind to the challenges that lie before him. He is climbing the ladder quietly, but surely.", said Didier with a proud look. It is not haste that guides Eddy, but a quiet determination, a will to progress without ever being disturbed by the pitfalls of the path.
The future in freewheeling
Today, Didier looks at his son with the same wisdom he always had. He knows that the route Eddy's life is still long, and there will still be obstacles, but he has complete confidence in his son. Eddy is an excellent rider, he just lacks a bit of squirt. But with endurance, he'll become a very good teammate, and maybe more than that, who knows? » Eddy's future in cycling seems written in letters of light, but Didier knows that the path will still be filled with challenges. But that's precisely the essence of cycling: never settling, always striving to improve.
For the Le Huitouze family, cycling is more than a passion. It's a way of life, a heritage.tage, a philosophy. This bond between a father and his son, between two generations united by the same route, the same love of sport, is the very essence of their story. Because deep down, for them, it's not just about pedaling. It's about living life to the fullest.
Bytagand the publication "Didier and Eddy Le Huitouze: a life on two wheels"
