Valentin Anouilh ^fra

Valentin: Well, the first time I was thinking of road gaps was when I was 12, and I was riding on the road myself. I saw this jump and said to my friends: a mountain biker could jump over us. A few years later I did. I just love jumping over stuff.

And in 2019, at 21, you road-gapped the peloton…

Valentin: But I wasn’t the first one. Dave Watson did it back in the days. And when the Tour was coming past close to our home in the Auvergne, I had this idea.

Dave was arrested after his jump in 1999. Yours was illegal, too?

Valentin: It was, but I think the Tour guys see it more as a form of free promotion. And the second time, there were even riders texting me.

Valentin: So, so many. But now with the CLIFF I really want to set out and start to discover places next to home. There are plenty of spots two hours away from home. France is so camper van friendly. Actually, France is one of the best places to go with a camper van.

What’s your camping hack?

Valentin: Avoid the hot spots. Go where it’s less busy and you’ll meet more open, friendly people. And sure, we all like to find a remote spot in nature, but we’ve run into cool people at small campsites and had really good times there.

What’s your must-bring-along?

Valentin: Oh, I wish there was the one thing. The problem is I’m used to travelling in a small van with no room. Now with the CLIFF I’m so stoked to have so much space that I just pack everything. It’s paradise, but I bring far too much…