KÉVIN RÉZA
B&B HOTELS P/B KTM
Since the last Tour de France, the demands have increased. The Black Lives Matter movement gained momentum through 2020, a year I was the only black rider to start the biggest race in the world, and my media profile grew, both at home and abroad.
A few years ago, I had difficulty expressing myself on the question of racism, but things have changed. The 2020 Tour allowed me to take a stand and to understand what I wanted to express to the media and the public. I realised that what I think and say carries weight. This is a 180-degree turn for me, and today I feel empowered to send whatever message I want to get across. So much the better if that can give a voice to those who feel that they are not being heard. We must not be silent on issues where we are right.
My story is that of an athlete who encountered racism at the age of 15 or 16, on arrival at the sport school of La Roche-surYon, in the Vendée. I was the only black kid in the school, while back in Paris I had grown up in a melting pot of religions, colours and social background. Cycling isn’t a sport where black people are over- represented and I have had to live with everything that entails.
Comments, looks, certain gestures… but I guess there are more serious problems in life.
I’ve had to answer the same questions since the start of my career, and I’ve had to often revisit the incidents involving Gianni Moscon and Michael Albasini. That’s fine, although I’d rather be asked about my own results and performances than these sorry stories.
I’ve had many invitations to join associations to promote diversity, but I don’t want to do this as a part-time job or just be a figurehead. The job of a professional cyclist is very demanding and I want to devote myself to it 100 per cent. If I join a fight, I have to be fully engaged. There’s no question of participating from a distance.
For the moment, I never refuse to speak out. I don’t mind the questions from journalists but I do want to be consistent. During the last Tour I thought hard about lining up on the front row at the start with a mask on which was written “No to racism”. I spoke at length with Bryan Coquard and my team-mates. Just having them standing behind me made me feel better about doing what had to be done. I don’t need 10,000 people supporting me - only those who matter.
And now for some sport! My race calendar in March is sparse, out of necessity. I’m giving myself time to build up the intensity and get in good shape for the summer. Now that the team has received a Tour invitation, I feel calmer. It is now up to me to get everything lined up for my fourth Tour.