Thomas Boudat, an Olympic runner on the wine trail

Vineyards and cycling, two fields that might seem far apart. Yet Thomas Boudat knows a thing or two about both. His maternal grandfather, a rider in the 1954 Tour de France and owner of the Boudat-Cigana estate, bequeathed him both passions. This August, Thomas will represent France in two track cycling events before swapping the bike for the tractor.

A serious medal hopeful at the Paris Olympics

Thomas Boudat took part in his first cycling competitions when he was just four years old: "My grandfather (cf. Joseph Cigano, Tour de France 1954 rider) put me on a bike when I could barely walk," he recounts. So it was only natural that he joined the Veloclub Sud Gironde, before earning his first selection for the French national team at the age of 16.
The determined and passionate young man went on to become a professional road cyclist. A multiple French champion, he was world omnium champion in 2014, competed in the Tour de France twice, and came 5thᵉ in the 2016 Rio Olympics. A record of achievements to dream about, but that doesn't stop him from wanting to put an end to competition.

What could be more beautiful for a French sportsman than to end a career at the Paris Olympics? "Participating in the Olympics is exceptional in itself, but then in France? You never see anything like it again," he explains. It's a competition the athlete can only dream of, but one that doesn't distract him from his goal: to return to the family estate after the competition: "I want to get back to a normal life close to my family, to let my parents withdraw a little and take over," he confides.

On August 10, he will have to take on a completely different role. That of Benjamin Thomas, his team-mate in the 50 km American race: I'm pinning most of my hopes on this event," he says, " I've made a lot of international podiums on the American, so I think we've got a great card to play.

DR

From cycling to vineyards, in a single pedal stroke

While the cyclist remains focused on the competition ahead, he already knows what he won't miss about life as a top-level sportsman: "I'm looking forward to not having to watch my food and wine consumption so closely. It's one of the most difficult parts of my daily life. I'm an epicurean, and I want to be able to enjoy good things with my loved ones".

When he returns to the family vineyard, Thomas will be in charge of production, while his brother will be in charge of sales and his sister of administration. It's a way for the cyclist to keep in touch with nature, which is so dear to him. The Gironde sportsman sees a close link between his career as an athlete and the one that awaits him: "They're two fairly similar professions, both difficult jobs. On a bike, as in the vineyard, you have to get up early in the morning to earn a living. You have to show resilience and self-sacrifice. Both jobs are intrinsically linked to nature too," he explains. When asked about the athletic qualities that will serve him well at the Boudat-Cigana vineyards, Thomas has an idea: "The quest for perfection, to make the best weather as well as the best wines, I think that's essential".

So what bottle do you open to celebrate a medal when you're a sportsman and soon-to-be winemaker? Answer: L'Intégrale du Château Fernon, "At home, we only open it for the big moments. It's a red Graves that we try to work like the grands crus," explains Thomas Boudat. May l'Intégrale flow freely on August 10!

• Events: August 5, 6 and 7 (qualifying, ½ final, final) for the team pursuit; August 10 for the American-style race.
• A few places are still available for these events on the Olympic resale platform: www.tickets.paris2024.org
• Vignobles Boudat-Cigana, Château de Viaut, 33410