Pontarlier. Tour de France 2025: "I would like a Frenchman to win here," hopes mayor Patrick Genre.

Personally, will this Saturday be a major moment in your political life?

"I've had the chance to host the Tour de France three times. A finish in 2001 , a start in 2009 and a finish in 2025. It's true that it's something massive. It's really one of the big events . We don't realize what goes into organizing the finish of a stage. It's huge. It takes people. We're supported by the ASO team, they have important requirements, but it's precise, it's written. Overall, there will be around a hundred people from the city, from the CCGP, who will be mobilized on the day itself, every day leading up to it and a little after, because we'll have to restore it. It's been very unifying."

This event comes a few months before the end of your political career as head of Pontarlier. Is this a bit of a last stand?

"This will be my last mountain pass. But that's not where it matters. It's the City, the trust that ASO has given us to be able to organize. The work with the Department has also been exceptional."

Do you follow cycling?

"I like watching the Tours de France, yes. And then I watch some classics: Paris-Roubaix, La Flèche Wallonne, the Dauphiné Libéré... But the Tour de France is a bit different."

Especially French competitions, then?

"Yes. The Giro and the Vuelta, no more than that. And it's not necessarily broadcast much, by the way."

And do you ride a bike?

"I don't ride a racing bike, but an electric bike to get around the 30 or 40 kilometers around Pontarlier, in the countryside. I didn't do the Tour stage; it's not possible. I'm not physically fit enough to do it, nor am I built for it."

Do you practice other sports?

"No, I don't do it anymore. My knee is ruined. I walk a lot, I like it, but I can't run anymore."

Are you more Anquetil or Poulidor?

"So there... (He breathes) I was more of a Poupou. My parents ran the butcher's shop on rue de Salins. In 1972, I remember seeing the finish line just ahead. I climbed up on a stepladder to watch, it was Eddy Merckx who had the yellow jersey and Poupou was there. And then, I had the chance to eat with Bernard Hinault in 2001, because he was part of the organization. I was able to spend an evening with him. It was interesting, because he has a strong personality. And in 2009, I did the stage in Christian Prudhomme's car (director of the Tour de France, editor's note) between Pontarlier and Verbier. That was also a fantastic experience. You're really at the heart of the tour because it's car number 1 and everything goes through him. You really feel that he loves it, that he shares his passion."

Who is your favorite runner?

"I like Alaphilippe and Vauquelin . I think they're quite combative, they're still there. I'd like a Frenchman to win here, even if it's already happened at Ventoux . I don't hate Pogačar. Some people criticize him, like Vingegaard , in fact."

This is a very special year for you between the National Order of Merit, your last full year and the Tour de France.

"Yes, it's a lot of emotional peaks, that's for sure. I think the biggest peak will be when I say goodbye, for good. Well, in terms of the job, eh! The last city council meeting... But hey, that's normal, you have to give way."

If you had to identify the politician you are with a runner, which one would it be?

"I'll take stock in a few months, not today. The race isn't over. There's one more climb that needs to be managed properly and then we'll have to cross the finish line. The time will come when I might make a comparison with a cycling race or a rugby match."