La Ferté-sous-Jouarre middle school mountain bike students aim for French championship qualification, Digi Mart USA News (La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, Seine-et-Marne, France): Students from the mountain bike sports section of La Plaine des Glacis middle school were thrilled when they arrived at the Parrot World animal park on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, to compete in the UNSS Academic Raid events.
Over two days, middle and high school students, including those from the Glacis mountain bike section, competed in a educational quiz at the heart of the animal park, laser run events, and a night trail. The following day, they took part in mountain bike and canoe speed and orientation competitions in Crécy-la-Chapelle.
The section is led by Pascal Fourmont, a longtime teacher at the middle school who founded the sports section and manages training, assisted by Florian Stumpf, also a cycling enthusiast. Students are also trained in the raid, orienteering, canoeing and trail running to remain competitive.
The students have qualified for the academic French championships four years in a row. The Glacis teams compete in the Excellence section, as the school includes three additional weekly hours of mountain bike training in its timetable.
Maël, a third-year student who competed in the French championships last year, worked extensively on running and cycling to prepare for the raid. Noam, also a competitor last year, hopes to finish first in the Excellence category to qualify for the academic championship.
Stella, a third-year student who had only a very modest recreational cycling level, has progressed considerably within the section and took part in last year’s duathlon and bike-and-run events.
After the events, the Fertois teams posted very good results. Glacis team No. 4 finished first in its Mixed Middle School Excellence category, while two teams from the Etablissement group, schools without a dedicated section but with a sports association, recorded the best times.
The team must now go through a repêchage process to secure its place in the French academic championship, which will be held in Corsica in April next year. Results are expected in early 2027.
Pascal Fourmont has raised concerns with the mayor of La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, Ugo Pezzetta, and the school services department that transport between La Ferté-sous-Jouarre and Coulommiers, about 15 kilometers apart, is not suitable for students. Finishing at 5 p.m., they arrive home around 6:30 p.m., and he has called for a shuttle service so these students can continue in the sport.
Continuing in a high school mountain bike section could also help students who want to enter a STAPS (Sciences and Techniques of Physical and Sports Activities) degree program after the baccalaureate and strengthen their application files.
