Once his descents with the ball at his feet were fearsome and irresistible, he whose very onomatopoetic surname was captivating, especially as the refined footballer of France, World champions in 1998 and Champions League winner with Bayern. Alas, we should also add a European title at Italy's expense, but let's move to the ecumenical terrain of a wholehearted cycling passion, on the part of Bixente Lizarazu, born in Saint-Jean-de-Luz and deeply connected to the Basque Country.

It's a story from last weekend, when the former French fullback mounted his white Canyon for an outing with his trusted group of friends, which included among others the former president of Olympique Lyonnais, Santiago Cucci, now based in Bayonne. Alongside Lizarazu pedaled for 160 km, covering 3,900 meters of elevation gain, Damien Dumas as well, for what was a beautiful and intense outing, dotted with magnificent landscapes. Looking closely, it was also a reconnaissance mission regarding the Tour de France's passage through the Pyrenees, with departure and arrival in Lourdes and in between Col d'Aubisque, Col du Soulor, Col d'Hautacam, plus a providential refreshment break in the Argelès-Gazost area.

National Bixente took on an intense cycling month of June, tackling Jazkibel Pass from both sides and not missing out on the feat, because otherwise one couldn't describe what the football favorite staged on Ventoux: "It was a magical day, mystical, rustic and even more fantastic, with few people because of a wind that could 'dehorn the oxen' (literal translation of décorner les boeufs, ed. note). We found gusts of 80 kilometers per hour, particularly at the end of the last of three climbs. I nonetheless fulfilled a dream, tackling the Giant of Provence from three sides in a single day, first from Bédoin, then from Malaucène, then from Sault. An outing with 4,430 meters of elevation gain and 137 km" Lizarazu recounted on social media, having refreshed himself at the Chalet Reynard between the first and second climb.

Then he joked: "Good day and safe travels to all the "crazy" pedal enthusiasts like me!". Like our Fabrizio Ravanelli, the Basque is part of that group of already successful athletes truly captivated by the charm of two wheels. In the past, when he divided his time between judo and diving or surfing, a mountain bike for the occasional ride was enough for him. The pressure from friends and the call of the many climbs around his home did the rest, leading him to share the grueling slopes of Artzamendi with Bernard Hinault. Becoming increasingly infected by the passion for two wheels. An appreciated TV commentator for the broadcaster TF1, which however does not hold the rights to the American World Championship, Lizarazu lends his voice to the Équipe channel, discoursing indeed masterfully on the exploits of Mbappé and company. And pedaling, needless to say.