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Balancing high-level sports and studies: The journey of Edouard Millecamps, a motocross racer

Published on March 14, 2024

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Balancing high-level sports and studies: The journey of Edouard Millecamps, a motocross racer

SKEMA Business School caters to the needs of professional athletes by offering flexible arrangements in all its programmes. Edouard Millecamps, a sand motocross racer and student in the ESDHEM programme, is preparing for business school entrance exams while pursuing a high-level sporting career.

​Edouard Millecamps, a first-year economics and management student in the ESDHEM programme, has been riding motorcycles for about fifteen years. Motorcycling has always been his passion. Currently 20 years old, he participates in numerous French motocross championship races, travelling across the country (Loon-Plage, Hossegor, Le Touquet, Berck-sur-Mer, etc.) while simultaneously pursuing his studies. This path has led him to the entrance exams for management schools. "I train once or twice a week, which amounts to 6 to 7 hours. It takes a lot of time, and I must admit, it's not easy to juggle both. Fortunately, my schedule is managed by SKEMA and the high-level sports service. I want to commit to this preparatory course and get into a business school, aiming for SKEMA!" explains Edouard, currently studying at our Lille campus.

 

A good result at the T​ouquet Enduro

 

Motorcycle racing on sand is a very demanding sport that requires physical and mental preparation. "During races, it's not uncommon to exceed 120 km/h in top speed. At that moment, the motorcycle's rear end swings out, and the slightest mistake can be costly. You then have to sit back in the seat and stabilise the machine. In addition to this challenge, we have to deal with weather and mechanical factors. Gusts of wind over 80 km/h can knock us off course, which can be frightening! On the mechanical side, there are always uncertainties. At the Touquet, my starter failed, I lost about 20 minutes and valuable places," he explains. Edouard finished 400th out of approximately 1300 riders.

 

"The tailor-made journey for professiona​l athletes"

 

Flexibility, extended study durations, and schedule adjustments for upcoming competitions are all designed to simplify athletes' lives. "Academic paths are always tailored to the individual, providing a real solution for the success of the dual sports and studies project," says Nathalie Sanchez, the head of sports and a high-level sports advisor at SKEMA. In addition to flexibility, exams are adapted, and students can benefit from the implementation of support classes and access to course materials through an educational platform. All these services are accompanied by tutoring throughout the year.