Bytagand the publication "The Héritag"The humble and silent" by Julien Guiborel
Few months ago, 3bikes told the story of a man, Jean-François Guiborel, known as Jeff, "La Guibole," a father, a champion, a brilliant voice in the world of cycling. Today, we invite you to take another wheel, more discreet, more interior, that of his son Julien. A less spectacular journey, but one of unsuspected richness. A path where silence speaks, where effort becomes humility, and where passion becomes transmission. Because sometimes, it is in the shadows that the most lasting light is forged.
By Jeff Tatard – Consultant for 3bikes – photos: French team @Patrick Pichon / DR
Héritage & childhood: born to pedal?
Julien Guiborel was born with a bicycle in his cradle, or almost.It seems I rode before I could walk.", he confides with a smile. His very first memory is a BMX, on which he would go "jump over bumps"near his home, in Suresnes, sometimes falling flat on his face, but learning to get back up, to go further, to surpass himself. An inaugural gesture that sums up well what his trajectory will be: instinctive, committed, but always anchored in a form of freedom.
For the Guiborels, cycling is a religion. His father, Jean-François, a former cyclist, coach, and a colorful figure in the Île-de-France region, makes no secret of his passion—or the passion he passed on.“Vaccinated with a bicycle spoke”, says Julien, repeating a well-known phrase in the industry. Sunday mornings had their liturgy: the club outing, the relays in the cold, and then the good meal with the family.
But his father, precisely, is careful not to make his son an obligatory heir. He enrolls him in cycling school, but also advises him to take a break, to look elsewhere. Julien then tries everything: gymnastics, basketball, soccer, tennis… A vital need to exert himself – sometimes to the great displeasure of the neighbors in the small family apartment! – but also an early apprenticeship in coordination, discipline, and listening to his body.
He doesn't remember growing up.in the shadows"from his father."I wanted to make my own way."And he did it. With two turning points: his time at CM Aubervilliers, as a junior, under the guidance of Hervé Boussard, then his hopeful years, marked by a major operation but also a revelation: that of his potential."I thought I could hope to turn pro."
Father & Son: Two Temperaments, Two Worlds
Seeing them together, everything seems to oppose them. Jean-François is talkative, active on social media, capable of pulling out an anecdote, a joke, or a memory from the shadows. Julien, on the other hand, is discreet, withdrawn. Not shy, no—simply calm. Reserved. Observant.
"It is a choice and a temperament", he explains. He prefers listening to exposure. He's on social media, but to "keep up to date," not to tell his life story. And when he's with his family, he disconnects.This is my Garden of Eden.” His father, for his part, continues to post childhood photos, of club outings, of jerseys that are too big on a kid who is already diligent.I think it's a form of nostalgia. I'm more focused on the future."
There was no shortage of disagreements. Especially about how to race. Julien liked to attack, shake up the pelotons, and go for broke.My father, a fine tactician, didn't like that too much..” There were some arguments, of course. And disappointment, too, when Julien decided to stop competing at 25.But he accepted. And he always instilled in me strong values: perseverance, health, ethics.. "
There were rituals. The training sessions at Longchamp, the outings with CSM Puteaux, the evening stretches – which his father did diligently, and which he struggles to imitate today.He is more flexible than me!"There were phrases, cycling vocabulary, a bit of Jacques Audiard in the phrases, and a bit of filial respect in the approach."I read his training plans. It helped me develop, not only as a runner, but also as a coach."
Even today, they still communicate a little. But from afar. One lives in Paris, the other in Savoy.When we call each other, we mostly talk about our families.“Two worlds, two speeds, but the same passion, deeply rooted in my body.
The runner: what remains of the legs
When Julien reflects on his racing career, there's no dripping nostalgia, no frustration either. A form of pride, yes. I experienced professionalism firsthand, I traveled, I met wonderful people. And above all, I understood the demands of this profession. »
He describes himself as “a bit of all three”: hardworking, cerebral, instinctive. He didn't have the gifts of some, but he made up for it with analysis, rigor, regularity. And a certain intuition for the right moment.I didn't have my father's sprinting skills, so I raced offensively, I liked the cobblestones, the breakaways."
His most vivid memory? His victory at the GP des Marbriers in 2005. A controlled race, a single attack, at the right time.To the red flame. I left, I ended up alone. I exploded with joy.“He won a marble table. It’s still in the garden.
The trainer: transmit, bring out
After the saddle, there was the whiteboard. Or rather, the training log, the stages, the meetings. Julien becomes coach, then technical manager.I was inspired by the people who mentored me. I wanted to pass it on in turn."
For him, training is a matter of method, intuition... and patience. He likes to set a framework, observe, adjust. And above all, let the athlete build, make mistakes, learn.I tend to be more of a withdrawn support. I ask questions, I let them be formulated."
What does he notice first in a young person?Attitude. The ability to be a driving force in a group.“Then comes the mind, the deep motivation. It believes in everyone, even those who remain in the shadows for a long time.”Some of the young women I've coached were substitutes for a long time... Today, they're pros. Because they believed in themselves."
He defends French training. Despite the lack of resources, it is rich, complete, and well-established.But we need to develop a sports culture in schools. We're missing out on a lot of talent."
And what about atypical paths?They still exist, but it's more difficult. Professionalism comes early, especially in technical disciplines. But there are bridges. Nothing is set in stone."
The present and tomorrow: staying in the wheel
Today, Julien lives between Chambéry and Aix-les-Bains. Lake, mytagfresh air. A dream setting, far from the hustle and bustle of the Paris region. He takes his boys to school... by bike.This is the best motivation."
Professionally, he supervises young people within the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes committee.tagis mytagno, time trials, races in Belgium to learn how to ride in a tight peloton.We support them every step of the way. And I try to give them the keys... so they can succeed in cycling or elsewhere."
Among his greatest achievements? Reuniting with some former athletes who have become colleagues.I bullied them back then, and now we work together. It's great."
And in ten years?Maybe a goat breeder in the Bauges!"Then he continues, more seriously: "I will continue to pass it on, one way or another."
When asked if he agrees to “come out of one's shell a little"For this portrait, he smiles."I'm going to be 45 years old. I've chosen a simple life, serving a passion."He recounts his childhood memories in Morzine, his first passes, his first falls. And his childhood dream: to live at the foot of the mountainstagnes. “Today, I am living this dream."
Julien Guiborel, the invisible runner
Julien Guiborel is not a man of enlightenment. He is one of those who builds foundations, trajectories, and hopes. He doesn't seek glory, much less buzz. He prefers to educate rather than shine, to support rather than lead, to listen rather than speak.
He doesn't have “took the wheel" of his father. He rode alongside. On another line. At his own pace. Sometimes in front, sometimes behind, but always true to himself.
In a world where you have to be visible to exist, Julien reminds us that we can inspire... in silence. And that sometimes, the greatest victory is to still be here, faithful to the bike and to the values it taught you.
Bytagand the publication "The Héritag"The humble and silent" by Julien Guiborel
