M2A: The lost velodrome

An avid deep sea diver, Rousseau makes the annual pigrimage from his home near Paris to the other side of the world to take part in the Six Days of Noumea in the capital of the tiny French overseas dependency. On an island steeped in track cycling tradition, the competition takes place at the 333m outdoor Velodrome de Magenta.

But adventure this year came Florian's way when he and the rest of the competition trekked to Bourail, 160km north of the capital. Accessible only by dirt roads, they discovered the charmingly decrepid track where 300 indigineous locals cheered them on.

But it's not all adventures and games for Rousseau. There's also the business of earning his ticket to Athens.

One of the most crowned riders in the history of track cycling, Rousseau has to make up for a disappointing 2003.

Although he vowed to get in a bit of snorkeling, he turned what for most riders was an enjoyable final event of the season - into basic training - in effect his first event of 2004. Rousseau stayed on to get in shape, returning only to Paris on December 22nd.