Marion Rousse
Happiness is a bike
French national road race champion, first female commentator for the Tour de France, and associate director of the Tour de La Provence. At just 30 years of age, Marion Rousse already has many laurels to her credit.
French national road race champion, first female commentator for the Tour de France, and associate director of the Tour de La Provence. At just 30 years of age, Marion Rousse already has many laurels to her credit.
By Christine Mahé
Success has smiled on Marion Rousse, a determined young woman who enjoys challenges and lives life her own way. Cycling has been a passion since childhood. “My father didn’t want me to cycle,” says Marion. “My mother took me to sign up with a club, in secret. But in the end, my father became my trainer and most fervent supporter!” Marion’s youth was all about cycling: training at -5° in winter, long trips to competitions. “Since age 6, cycling has been my life.” Years of effort were rewarded with a place at the top at the French national road race in 2012, but three years later Marion decided to put an end to her sporting career. At that time women cyclists did not earn even minimum wage. Marion had been a TV consultant for Eurosport since 2013; she chose to focus on this activity instead.
A successful career change
Now with France Television, Marion is very much at ease with a microphone. “I was not attracted to the media at first. I am fairly reserved and never imagined that I would one day be speaking in front of millions of viewers! But I really enjoy it.” Marion brings to her consultancy role the same energy and precision that she devoted to her life as a cycling champion. And she is just as devoted to the Tour de la Provence, a race she is co-organising for the third consecutive year with Pierre-Maurice Courtade.
What does Marion do to relax? “Sports, of course. Cycling, running, working out, hiking in the mountains. I need to be constantly in motion.” And let’s not forget the cinema and shopping. “I like fashion, I like nice clothes,” she says. Marion also likes watches, and is ambassador for the Breitling brand. Marion is coasting forward in life with a smile, in the company of her companion, Julian Alaphilippe, world champion of road racing in 2020, and family in her beloved Nord department.
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