In the Wheel of… Charles-Henri Fouyer, Champion After Discovering Cycling at 30

Imagine that upon discovering the following portrait, you have a revelation… That these few lines awaken an ignored talent in you and that despite your age, they belatedly make you want to become a champion again. This is the story of Charles-Henri Fouyer.

By Jean-François Tatard – Photos: Maryline Beynette / velo60.fr 

It’s 2012, Charles-Henri, Charly to his friends, is about to celebrate his 30th birthday! This trained cabinetmaker is no cyclist and spends his weekends on activities that have nothing to do with cycling. He plays a bit of football but is mostly fascinated by anything related to mechanics, especially motorcycles. At that time, the taste for effort as we know it in our sport is not (yet) part of his culture.

Late beginnings

It was a random challenge that made him want to get on a bike. It must also be said that, frustrated by recurring injuries that took longer and longer to heal, Charly found an outlet in cycling that brought a smile back to his face. And even better, it quickly awakened a passion he had previously ignored. “I want to be a cyclist too,” Charly kept telling himself…

A second life

He believes that our second life begins when we realize we only have one. In the same year he took out his first UFOLEP license, Charly won his third race and followed it up with three more opportunities to raise his arms in victory. In less than 2 years, he moved up through all categories to finish the 2014 season in First category. 1982 is the birth year on Charly’s ID card, but 2012 is the year that gave birth to the champion we know today.

The birth of a passion

More than the bicycle, it’s the set objective that interests him. The progress and management of the competition, but also the implementation of a very specific training protocol and the plan that leads him to be at 100% of his potential on D-day. Very quickly, and guided by Yannick Lamarque, his coach since 2015, Charly becomes an expert and his ability to systematically achieve his goal makes him a recognized leader in his region.

His collection of distinctive jerseys is countless. Almost every year, he sweeps the departmental and regional championship titles, whether in FFC or UFOLEP. Only the French championship title still eludes him. He also has an intimate connection with the region’s most coveted classic. Charly has won Paris-Vallangoujard three times in a row. Not to mention the Ronde de l’Oise, the most prestigious stage race in France in UFOLEP, which he has won several times.

His pedal stroke is fluid and efficient; it’s a spectacle to watch him race towards victory.

His secret

When Charly is asked about the reasons for his success, he finds no more rational explanation than training. But when you observe this champion in action, you realize that you are dealing with someone exceptional. The kind of phenomenon you encounter once in a while. Nature has blessed him: his pedal stroke is fluid and efficient! He turns the gear. His strength comes from his hips, and he possesses a range of qualities that allow him to excel on any terrain. It’s a spectacle to watch him race towards victory. But Charly also trains correctly. And beyond the fact that he rides an average of six times a week, it’s the diversity of his session content that is interesting to analyze. Never the same and always logically planned to optimize Sunday’s performance. He organizes his professional schedule and juggles the obligations of a careful and attentive father and partner. But ultimately, from this self-sacrifice and heavy investment, we learn nothing new. Rigor, discipline, courage are the values shared by all champions. Nevertheless, what strikes me about this late bloomer is his contagious enthusiasm. The smile of a child and an almost non-existent apparent suffering. Charly is balanced and well-surrounded. His family, his friends, and almost everyone speaks highly of him. Everyone wants to be his friend. Or wants to take him as an example. Charly is discreet and thoughtful, but Charly is endearing. He savors life. That seems obvious. Charly is fulfilled and happy. He is benevolent and offers rare gratitude to his sport. As if to thank the bicycle as one thanks someone who has given you the chance to experience happiness once in your life. Charly doesn’t count the years; he makes the years count. In fact, I think he’s an epicurean.

His method

Despite this apparent lightness, Charly is a perfectionist. He leaves nothing to chance. In terms of intensity, he trains today as one should to perform. His mindset has never changed. Charly tells me that “as long as victory is possible, I won’t give up.” He is a competitor, and behind this kindness that benefits anyone lucky enough to share a part of his journey, Charly is mischievous and thrives on this desire to be among the best without harming those who will be behind him. And if “no wind is ever favorable to him who does not know to what port he is sailing,” there will always be two or three major objectives to punctuate a season à la Charly Fouyer. The rest of the time is preparation with intelligent progression that spares him from injuries and the weariness that awaits those who cannot dose as well as he can.

Any regrets?

It’s clear that if Charly had discovered his sport younger, things would have been different. Would he have been better? Would he have been a pro? Would he have won a stage of the Tour de France? But the opposite too… Would he have experienced weariness prematurely? Would he have had such longevity? In any case, Charly will never regret. Regretting what you don’t have is wasting what you do have. Charly has a full life, emotionally and socially rich.

Memories

When asked about his best cycling memory, without hesitation, his voice emotional, he immediately talks about his first victory. But the first regional title also awakens a strong emotion in him. And from a performance perspective, even better than a long poetic narrative recounting a courageous adventure, his success on the Routes de l’Oise in 2018 brings to mind a fabulous epic that only superheroes are capable of.

A 3-star anecdote

Coincidence or destiny, Charly’s father was president of a cycling club in Aisne until he passed away a year before his son’s late start. His father would probably have been proud to see his son win three great races in a row in 2022 despite some misjudgments. It could have been a tribute eleven years after his passing, but Charly, being very down-to-earth, prefers to speak of a true passion that must have been repressed.

And tomorrow?

With the rise of new disciplines and age-group categories, we’re not likely to see Charly stop riding anytime soon. In his age category, at the national level, Charly is among the best. More than just a wheel to follow, he’s a true benchmark. And his eclecticism should also offer us the opportunity to see his name soon in the Gravel World Series rankings.

What I remember

What image to keep of Charly? Now that I know him a little better, Charly is a kind person. A truly kind person. Which also reinforces my idea that there’s no need to be fueled by animosity or driven by malice and revenge to succeed in sport. Charly shares. Charly is positive and Charly looks ahead. Moreover, when you ask people who know him, they say Charly is discreet but deep down Charly is attentive, generous, loyal, available, humble, happy, and contagious with enthusiasm and positivity. Charly is the friend you want to have. Charly is also a fabulous message of hope. Charly could help younger people project themselves into the future with serenity… Charly is the never-ending story.

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