Bytagand the publication "Romain Feillu, the other face of the yellow jersey"
There are riders whose names immediately evoke victories, distinctive jerseys, or legendary breakaways. And then there are those whose journey resonates more deeply: with humanity, lucidity, and a discreet form of courage. Romain Feillu is one of them. 3bikes.fr , we went to meet him. Not just to talk about his achievements—even if his is far from trivial—but to tell the story of the man behind the rider. The one who wore the yellow jersey in the Tour de France. The one who loved sprinting more than anything, suffered to win, and above all, lived this profession as a matter of course. The one who, after his career, had to face other, much steeper passes. Through his words, his memories, and his silences, we wanted to convey a story full of truth. A story of cycling, of course, but above all, a story of life.
By Jeff TATARD – Photos: DR
Childhood in freewheeling
For Romain Feillu, it all starts far from the catwalks. In a simple childhood, in the heart of a rural environment where the bicycle is first and foremost just a means of transport. It was a means of transport to go and meet friends or play tennis in Pezou with my brother Brice. » Very quickly, the object becomes a passion. He perfectly remembers his first BMX, his first mountain bike... and this bike route repainted with fluorescent spray paint by his father.
Competition came later. The heroes of the time were Miguel Indurain and Jan Ullrich. These imposing figures inspired him. The idea of making it his career slowly took root. But it was only among the juniors that certainty emerged: " I was starting to get some firsts and was among the best French players. That's when I told myself I could make a living from it. »
Two brothers in the same dream
It's impossible to talk about Romain without mentioning Brice, a year his junior, who also turned pro. « We always followed each other. » Together at Agritubel Amateur, together at CC Nogent-sur-Oise, the two brothers bytageverything… except their qualities. Romain is a sprinter. Brice is a climber. We never found ourselves in competition with each other. But we both had this desire to succeed. »
Brotherly bonds stand up to competition. And while shared races are moments of solidarity, training sessions are a more explosive playground: There were frequent quarrels, and cans flew from time to time... »
In this cycling-dedicated sibling group, parents play a fundamental role. From the age of 17, I can say that the whole life of the Feillu family was organized around performance. » Diet, sleep, schedule, everything is geared towards the race. Her sister Lisa, future wife of cyclist Jonathan Hivert, is also a valuable ally. Cycling is a family affair.
The pro, the passion, the precision
Among the pros, Romain stands out as a diligent, thoughtful sprinter, almost obsessive about details. He loves to suffer over short periods of time. A steep climb, a full-throttle start... I was really enjoying myself, because I knew that victory was possible at the end. »
He excels in the reconbirth of arrivals. He uses Google Maps, studies the trajectories, asks to make detours for reconto take the last few kilometers. He wants to see everything. Know everything. I liked to choose a line and possibly take a speed that few riders would dare to take. »
In 2007, it paid off. At Paris–Bourges, he launched his 400-meter sprint, supported by his teammate and friend Freddy Bichot. He won. A well-planned, well-planned victory, coming at the perfect moment. But it was nothing compared to the media explosion that followed a year later.
The day in yellow
On July 7, 2008, Romain Feillu took on the yellow jersey in the Tour de France.One of a rider's most powerful dreams comes true. He enters a very exclusive club, that of those who wear the legendary jersey. A moment etched in his memory. A symbol of success.
However, this reconbirth does not change manHe remains discreet, true to himself, to his feelings, to his quest for precision. He continues to suffer in the shadows on certain courses. I really suffered from the cold on a few stages. And to stay in the group on all the Tours, you often had to push yourself. »
He lives his profession with commitment, but never with illusion. He knows that everything can end. He also knows that mental suffering sometimes hurts more than physical suffering.
The aftermath, without a scenario
The end of his career is slowly taking shape. Romain continues to race in Continental for four seasons. Then he stops. Not as he had imagined. I wish I could have gone on a little longer. "The reason is not sporting. It is personal." The mother of my children had forced me to stop my career to "save our relationship", before deciding to break up in May 2020. »
He had, however, anticipated his reconversion. A graduate of the DEJEPS (Department of Education for Professionals), he had launched a company to organize cycling trips. The divorce shatters everything. He doesn't have the energy to carry out this project. He backs down. He takes it in.
Today, the bicycle is no longer at the centerHe's always there, in the back of his mind. But it's his pack that matters. Three dogs. Four horses. And especially his children, whom he doesn't see enough. I miss cycling, but my children are my main concerns. »
A lucid look at evolution
Romain is not the type to embellish. When we talk to him about today's cycling, he is frank. The world has changed. It was better before. "He admires Pogacar, but this overwhelming dominance leaves him a little cold. On the other hand, he is enthusiastic about the rise of women's cycling." The level has risen, it's nice to watch. FDJ Suez is doing a very good job. »
What if a young runner asked him for advice? He'd get straight to the point. No platitudes about mental strength or VO2 max. I would tell him not to start building a house. It's a source of worry that's incompatible with performance on the bike. »
Maybe another saddle
The future is uncertain. But one thing is certain: he will not turn his back on sport. He dreams of doing for his children what his parents did for him. And if not in cycling, perhaps in the equestrian world. My children dream of becoming involved in the horse world. So why not join them and have a small show jumping stable? »
What we remember
There remain powerful images from his career. Victories. Pains mastered.. And this unforgettable scene, after Brice's victory in Andorra-Arcalis, polka dot jersey on his shoulders: " The reunion at the foot of the podium was full of emotion. »
And there remains this sentence, his conception, a seemingly light quote, but incredibly accurate in a sport where nothing is ever written: " Forget that you have no chance. Go ahead, for once. On a misunderstanding, it might work. »
Romain Feillu is the story of a rider with unashamed panache, of a man who has known the light of the yellow jersey, the white lines crossed at full speed, but also the shadow of painful decisions and reconsilent instructions. It's a name that cycling followers won't forget. But behind that name is a brother, a son, a father, a passionate man – a man who always rode straight, even when the route was crumbling.
Today, it's no longer a sprint that drives him, but a different kind of trajectory: one that leads him back to his children, his animals, his land, and perhaps a future centered around horses. Calmer, but just as intense. And deep down, he still believes in it.
