2024-05-13 17:12:51
French BMX hopefuls Jules and Jean Cattet, two brothers based in Rouffach (Haut-Rhin), are participating for the first time in the BMX World Championship in Rock Hill in South Carolina.
Jules, aged 18, and Jean, aged 13, are living a dream. Participate in the BMX World Championship. The competition will take place from May 12 to 18 in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
They flew to the USA on Wednesday 8 May together with their mother. The oldest, Jules Cattet, runs in two categories, 20 inches and cruiser (24 inches). The young driver who studies STAPS (Science and Techniques for Physical and Sporting Activities) in Besançon is in the French Cup and has just qualified for the EC.
His little brother Jean is in the 4th grade at Saint-Joseph college in Rouffach. He qualified for worlds in the cruiser category without ever competing in the French championship.
On Sunday 12 May, the two brothers might each complete their own BMX race in the cruiser category. It is their father Edouard Cattet, who stayed in France to look following the other two children, who gives us their news.
Jules came 4th in the first heat, then derailed and fell at the end of the race during the second heat. “He was able to get an x-ray, luckily he didn’t break anything and he can compete in the 20 inch race this Wednesday May 15th. You have to be persistent.”analyzing the danger.
Jules Cattet was injured in the second round of the BMX race in the cruiser category
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© Fanny Cattet
As for little brother Jean, his world championship is already over: “He came 5th in the first, 5th in the second and 6th in the last round” explains the father, “there were very strong pilots opposite. He must have been impressed. He still lacks maturity, but he is moving on.”
BMX entered the Cattets’ life in 2012. No one suspected that when Jules started this activity at the Cernay BMX club around 6-7 years old, the whole family embarked on something of an adventure. But for the youngster it is a revelation, the speed, the jumps. As soon as he discovered this activity, he did not want to put it down.
His father also tried to share this hobby with his children, but quickly stopped to avoid injury. Among the siblings, Jean and the youngest, 11-year-old Charles also joins the Cernay club for four hours of training per week.
“We see the persistence that it gives them, the regularity of their involvement in this activity, they are responsible for their business. It has allowed them to grow.”
Edouard Cattet, father of Jules and Jean
But the performances were not there for long. In 2020, Jules has a new coach, Charly Gaillard, several European and world champions in BMX. “A very useful meeting because Charly Gaillard gives him peace of mind, and succeeds in channeling his energies. Jules gradually becomes a more thoughtful rider on the bike with instinct.”
The father admires his sons who do not allow themselves to be defeated. Speaking regarding these World Championships, he was particularly surprised that Jean qualified. “It was a surprise because last year he struggled through the qualifying heats. For us it was unexpected. But he went up 10 cm and that gave him confidence, confidence.”
Jean was able to compete at these Worlds with two other drivers from the Cernay club, Ilhan Farcy, and his trainer Charly Gaillard.
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Jules Cattet, Ilhan Farcy and Charly Gaillard from the Cernay BMX club have qualified to participate in the BMX Worlds in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
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© Fanny Cattet
BMX is still a very expensive sport. The trip to Rock Hill, partly financed by the family, costs 5,000 euros. “Although relatives and some sponsors such as Intermarché or Optique 2000 de Rouffach make donations, this is still insufficient to afford to go to all the competitions. Each time you have to pay between 500 and 700 euros” explains Edouard Cottet.
Jules is qualified to go to the EC from 28 May to 2 June in Verona. But he certainly won’t be able to go there because the family doesn’t have the funds. And there is no financial assistance from clubs or the French BMX Federation. New patrons had to be found to help the two champions achieve their dreams.
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