The most famous of French cyclists, Laurent Jalabert, has become a familiar voice for viewers of France Télévisions, where he comments every summer the stages of the Tour de France with passion. But behind the microphone and the memories of his exploits, what do we really know about his life today?
An essential figure in French cycling, Laurent Jalabert marked the 1990s by his talent. With 138 professional victories, he reached the heights by becoming the world number one in his discipline several times, between 1995 and 1997, then again in 1999. But what has become of since?
What is Laurent Jalabert’s addiction?
In 2022, Laurent Jalabert revealed in an interview with Ouest-France That he suffered from Bigorexia, an addiction to sport recognized by the World Health Organization since 2011. This pathology has manifested by an excessive sport, sometimes to the detriment of health. “”It is a recommendation for use regularly sport. But not necessarily like me, which excessively practices“He said.
Whoever totals 138 professional victories had also said: “I don’t mind being qualified as Bigorexic. I like sport, I need it and when I don’t do it, I miss it. I have an addiction to sport, but I don’t consider myself sick. The practice of sport must remain beneficial. When you fall in excess, it becomes dangerous“.
Always animated by this need for performance, the former cyclist turned to the Ironman triathlon, an extreme event mixing 3.8 km of swimming, 180 km of bicycle and a marathon. The native of Mazamet, in the Tarn, practices this high level sport. Besides, he was crowned world champion in his category in 2023, proving that his passion for intense effort had never left him.
Laurent Jalabert as a couple: where does he live?
The famous native of Mazamet has never really left the south! After having crisscrossed the world by bike, Laurent Jalabert put his suitcases in Montauban, in Tarn-et-Garonne, where he savor a more peaceful but not less intense life. It was there, in a charming house in old stone, that he flows happy days with Marion Limouzy, former Miss Périgord, 22 years younger. Very active on social networks, the former champion does not hesitate to inform the changes he makes in his house.
Laurent Jalabert and his guest room project
At 56, the former runner decided to roll up his sleeves to build his own bread oven. With his spouse, they also embarked on a new adventure: the opening of guest rooms. A project he shares with enthusiasm on his Instagram account: “Jade’s house. This is the place that has occupied all our free time for a year already! Hours and hours to empty, break, isolate, renovate, sand, eat dust, get shuffle, vacuum, think, not sleep and so on!“And the fruit of their efforts has already started to bear fruit since they have already welcomed tenants.
Laurent Jalabert, accused of doping: “I can assure … “
In 2013, Laurent Jalabert found himself at the heart of a controversy relaunched by revelations about doping in cycling. Fifteen years after the 1998 Tour de France, he was accused of having recourse to the EPO, a doping substance commonly used at the time. Convened by the senatorial commission of inquiry into the effectiveness of the fight against doping, the former champion had to explain his care practices during his professional career publicly.
Faced with the senators, Jalabert delivered a nuanced defense, evoking the medical and regulatory vagueness of the 1990s. “Can I assure that at no time did I try to meet a doctor to improve my performance or participate in the arms race. (…) It was not my culture, not my desire“He said.
He nevertheless admitted a certain uncertainty: “We were treated at the time, but today, I could not say if it was completely illegal … or legal. (…) I can’t say firmly that I have never taken anything illicit. (…) We were treated, I never said the opposite. But were we doped? I think not …“”
