Young Seynoise Ninon Méline on her way to the French championships

Since her selection for the French Avenir Route Championships, Ninon Méline has been training three times a week, under the guidance of the president of Vélo sport seynois (VSS), Christian Lazarini. "The whole club is behind her! " enthuses the former competitor. Ninon started three years ago at the cycling school. Her physical abilities and character quickly led to her being directed to the club's training center.

Athletic, tough but also clear-sighted, Ninon runs with great maturity, despite her young age. "She feels the race, knows how to pace her effort but also senses when to launch an attack, a counterattack..." At this next meeting, she will be up against the best girls in France. "Ninon is among the youngest 7%. The other girls are aged 14, 15 or 16. She is the only U15 from the region to have been selected," continues the president of the VSS.

This selection rewards a perfectly consistent and successful 2025 season. "Ninon finished first in the U15 women's category of the Marie-Antoinette Canu Trophy, which brings together all the races of the year in this category at the regional level ," explains Christian Lazarini.

Ninon has also managed to reach the top 10 and 15 in mixed regional races. The boys at her club follow her performances with great pride, and many contribute to her preparation. "We've been going out three times a week since the announcement of her selection for the French championship. We choose courses similar to the one she'll have to face at La Tour-du-Pin, in Isère (a 60km road race). With the boys, we put her in racing conditions and we don't give her any gifts."

At the end of each session, Ninon shares her feelings and any physical or tactical difficulties she encountered. Today, she will scout the course of the race, both by bike and by car, before taking the plunge and, perhaps, we hope, climbing to the top step.