For more than ten years, he has been a key figure in the pro peloton. His long days in breakaways and on the front of the peloton, riding in support of his leader, have created a reputation of a tireless fighter. At 35, David Boucher, French by birth and now Belgian, will return to the amateur ranks with Crelan-Vastgoedservice in 2016. 

DirectVelo.com have talked to Boucher who, despite going through a complicated autumn, has retained his ambitions and desire to win.

“I never thought about ending my career,” he told the French website. “I did not want to end like that. Furthermore, I do not feel ready to retire. I promised my son to stop in two years. He is five years old and he starts to enjoy it. But I will not hide: it's a shame to return to the amateur level. 

“I talked with many teams, never losing hope. Until last Wednesday, I still had a 80% chance of finding a place in the WorldTour but obviously the 20% tipped the balance. It was a blow to the head, but I want to fight to the end.

”I have nothing to prove to anyone. I would just love to show that they have made ​​some bad choices.”

Boucher’s time at FDJ came to a controversial end. He spent two stages in breakaways despite having been told to stay in the peloton to work for Arnaud Demare. As a consequence, manager Marc Madiot took him out of the race and didn’t select him for races in the final part of the season.

“With the team, we had reached the top, getting 30-35 victories per year,” Boucher said. “But under the guise of a less successful year, we decided to change everything, unfortunately. In football, when it does not work, you change the coach, not the players! For three and a half years, we were on the tope with no complaints. But when they told me, my contract would not be extended, I had to play my cards. On the eve of the Eneco Tour, it was clear: I would join the breakaways and then I would do the Vattenfall Cyclassics. If I was not getting a contract with another team, my season ended there. But eventually, I joined the break and was told that if I did not wait for the pack, I would go home. I believe that I never disobeyed the orders."

After many years in Belgium and France, Boucher will now ride for a Dutch team.

“I have lived in Belgium for many years,” he said. “From 2000 to 2007, I lived in Chimay, Wallonia, one year before returning to Cul-des-Sarts. But since 2008, I have lived in Flanders, on the linguistic border. My children speak Dutch when they go to school but at home we speak French. My wife is Flemish so I manage to understand it. I also happen to speak a little, even if the first word is the most complicated. ,For someone who has never had a course in Dutch in my life, I do not have to be ashamed.”

In his new team, Boucher will be one of the leaders.

“I want to continue along the same path, giving my point of view from the bike, advising young rider, helping them to find their place. I think I can really bring something to them, especially in the Flemish races. I will do the job 200% if we go for the sprint with a riders but if I get my chance, I will not let it go. 

”Remember that before I turned professional in my final year as a U23 rider, I won fifteen races. I feel ready for this role: I feel no pressure, I have nothing to lose. The distances will be shorter, it will be a bit special at first, but the level will not be lower.”

Boucher will also have the chance to do some Flemish races like Kuurne, the Three Days of West Flanders, Nokere Koerse or the Three Days of De Panne. 

“This schedule was close to my heart even if I will combine it with some kermesses in order to keep the pace without having to do too many long training rides. In these races with a short time trial, I should be able to do well. I have always worked for Arnaud (Démare) or others, but here, being able to stay in the wheels, I think I can show myself in the finales. I will approach the races differently, trying to get as far as possible."

However, Boucher will miss the cobbled monuments, Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.

“This feels very bad, that's for sure,” he said. “I will not even watch Roubaix as I think I'll be at the Circuit des Ardennes. This is not a race that suits me, given the climbing, but it will be less painful than watching Paris-Roubaix from my couch. De Ronde and Roubaix are mythical races. I have fantastic memories, especially of my escapes. To see the crowd before you start De Ronde is just impressive: a real human tide. I just have a small regret: If I had known that 2015 was my last year in the WorldTour, I would have done it differently and enjoyed it more.”

However, Boucher still dreams of a return to the highest level.

“I still have some hope,” he said. “But with the current economic situation in cycling, the chances are seriously compromised. The teams prefer to hire young talent insted of old grandpas like me. I do not try to hide it: a return to the WorldTour is almost impossible. On the other hand, why not help the team grow and within two or three years join the ProConti ranks? This would be a great satisfaction.”

At 35 years of age, Boucher is already a veteran but he has no plans to continue his career as long as Davide Rebellin who is still active at 44.

“Oh no, no way,” he said. “When I see my father ride a Masters race, I tell myself that I cannot do that. Maybe I will continue until I am 38 or 39 years, but no more. First of all, it is not ideal for my health. When I no longer feel good enough, I will not insist. Secondly, I'm the father of a boy of five and a half and a small girl who will be three years in January. I have not seen them take their first steps, I missed the holidays, birthdays ... I have no regrets, but I want to see them grow.”

Boucher recently participated in the Boonen and Friends Cyclo-Cross race.

“Before turning pro, I did cyclo-cross, so it is not a real novelty,” he said. “I also enjoyed mountain biking, but I had no bike. This winter I almost did not take any break, just ten days to go on vacation. Here, a bike dealer offered me a partnership to provide me with a mountain bike, and as I still have a good condition, I actually had fun in the mud. I'm having fun. With 29 inches, it's great! 

“ It is true that now I'm having fun doing various activities: I love to swim, I'll do a few beach races at the end of the Flemish cyclo-cross season in January. My winter is far from being tranquil so to do sports allowed me to be alone, to escape. Before, I had a dog with whom I was walking five, ten kilometers. But he died in the spring, and I do not want to go walking alone. I started to ride a few times with Nio, my son, but as he is only five and a half years old that’s not a long ride. I have more time for myself. 

”On Monday, it was still 15 or 16 degrees in the sun at home, it is rather nice. I am doing many hours in Belgium, but I do not want to do too much. The races are still three months away. If it is bad, I do not force myself to go on a ride. Last year I had already done too much intensity at training when I did the first races. So I want to take my time, my season will be very long. I will maybe go to Spain for a few days with Zico Waeytens Spain. And a training camp in Asturias in late January before a team training camp in February is already on my calendar.”