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Restoration of Boulevard du Larvotto underway

by: Stephanie Horsman
24/01/2022

As steady progress continues on Testimonio II, the project’s partners are initiating works to restore Boulevard du Larvotto to its original state, allowing for traffic flow to return to normal.

Road works will begin on 24th January to revisit the original outline of Boulevard du Larvotto. Groupe Marcozzo and VINCI Immoblier will be in charge of the project which will connect the new section to the historic road.

The operation will include some traffic disruptions that are expected to go on for two and a half months with completion in April. During this period, an alternating traffic system is being established to allow for access and to limit disruption.

As the works on the road start, network projects are simultaneously being worked on in Testimonio II’s public technical galleries, many of which will run under Boulevard du Larvotto. These networks will serve the entire district, including the thalassothermy network incorporated by the government.

This will require another alternating traffic situation running from April to mid-July, though exact dates have yet to be announced. This will signal the completion of this phase of works on the road, until 2024, when a roundabout will be created on the Boulevard to facilitate entry and exit from the car park at Testimonio II.

Testimonio II is one of the Principality’s largest construction projects currently underway. It will be made up of two residential towers with 348 state apartments and a 50-place creche, and will be the new home of the International School of Monaco, accommodating 700 pupils. Parking on 13 levels will accommodate 1,100 vehicles, including 850 for the state and public parking. There is also a private residence, Bay House, which will be comprised of 56 apartments and five villas.

The state apartments will account for roughly 10% of the country’s current stock and the total surface area of the project is approximately 150,000m2 using nearly 10,000m2 of land. The project will use 16,000 tonnes of steel and 120,000m3 of concrete. During peak times, there are more than 1,000 workers on site.

The project has not been without hiccoughs, though. They builders are working on a steep slope, reduced rights of way and with complicated hydro-geology and geotechnics.

The project was green lit in 2015, and has been progressing gradually, despite the pandemic, ever since. It is expected that the first tower and creche will be ready for occupation by the end of this year, with the second tower being complete in the 3rd quarter of 2023. The International School will be able to open its doors in 2023 as well. Finally, Bay House is set to be ready in 2024.

“Testimonio is more than a construction site for us: it is a major project for Monaco, which provides concrete solutions adapted to the needs of Monegasques and residents of the Principality,” said Céline Caron-Dagioni, Minister of Equipment, Environment and Urban Planning. “It is also a project that requires going through many stages before seeing the end of the tunnel. We still have one important task left so that Boulevard du Larvotto can be returned to full traffic and alternating is the only solution: since the beginning of the year, we have been working with the promoter and the builder to adjust a device that allows for the completion of the work and will not cut off traffic.”

 

 

Image of the future Testimonio II project by DR, Monaco Government 

 

 

Natural cosmetics company joins forces with OceanoScientific

by: Stephanie Horsman
21/01/2022

Monaco-based designer of cosmetic actives Exsymol has signed on with OceanoScientific Expeditions Monaco. The partnership will help protect organisms living in little explored coral reefs and raise awareness among youth.

Monegasque firm Exsymol’s Chairman Pierre Bondon and Yvan Griboval of OceanoScientific signed the agreement to work together on 19th January at the Monaco Yacht Club.

Since 2006, OceanoScientific, created by sailing enthusiast and journalist Griboval, has been dedicated to enabling the scientific community and the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to expand their knowledge on the causes and effects of climate change on the seas.

This has been accomplished through daily data collection and atmospheric interfacing gleaned from sea-going craft from all over the globe.

Now, OceanoScientific can add Monaco’s Exsymol to its list of partners. Exsymol has been around since 1972 and is a creator and producer of active ingredients for skin care products, becoming a pioneer in using natural extracts and peptides combined with organic bioactive silicon to make products that use nature for “cosmedical solutions”. The company uses clean chemistry to provide customers with low-environmental impact products.  

This partnership signals the start of a relationship that will focus on safeguarding the genetic heritage of organisms found in little known or never-before explored coral reefs. They hope to be able to explore the reefs for the purpose of creating bio-mimics, or copies of things found in nature, for the benefit of science, health and well-being. Additionally, they aim to mobilse youth and encourage them to study ocean-related topics as career paths, thus encouraging love and respect for the sea.

After the signing, Exsymol’s Bondon stated that he was “delighted to take part in this adventure. Beyond the strong personal attraction to the sea, I am convinced that the future will go through a better knowledge of the ocean as well as gain an increased respect for this environment essential to life on Earth.  The missions of raising awareness for ocean protection and research of scientific data of OceanoScientific Expeditions correspond perfectly to the DNA of Exsymol.”  

For his part, Yvan Griboval was ready to “take on board with us a Monegasque company which bases its activities and its development on active principles derived from nature and with respect for it. Preserving the ocean and its biodiversity for future generations means being able to virtuously marry ecology and economy, where man is content with his rightful place in nature, with humility. Exsymol is sincere in its societal and environmental commitments. We therefore are proud to have them by our side in these new philanthropic expeditions in the service of science, and humanity.”

 

 SEE ALSO:

OceanoScientific welcomed home

OceanoScientific Contaminants Expedition

Sailor’s historic expeditions to help save the ocean

 

Photo: Exsymol’s Deputy Chairman Pierre Bondon and Yvan Griboval of OceanoScientific

 

 

 

“We must be ambitious”

by: Luke Entwistle
21/01/2022

Having secured his first victory as Monaco manager last weekend, Philippe Clement set out his more long-term ambitions in a pre-match conference before Sunday’s match against Montpellier.

On Friday, the Belgian manager told Monaco Life that he expects a tough challenge on Sunday, especially given his side’s difficulties on the road this season. “Montpellier have proved their quality over the past months. You see in the table that there isn’t much of a big points gap between us, so it’s a big match.” Clement added, “I’ve seen over the past months that Monaco hasn’t taken many points away from home, so it’s a challenge for the group to take the three points from there.”

Clement was also unequivocal in his ambition to climb the table, telling the assembled press that, “We can’t be happy being sixth (in the Ligue 1 table). We must be ambitious, but we mustn’t become nervous about the gap with other teams.”

The teams come into the fixture separated by only two points, but the conditions in which the respective camps come into the match could hardly be more disparate. Whilst Monaco have blossomed since Clement’s arrival, Montpellier are yet to win in Ligue 1 in 2022.

Last week’s defeat at home to relegation candidates Troyes was particularly damaging, with the red card picked up by Montpellier playmaker Teji Savanier leaving him suspended for Monaco’s visit.

Monaco, however, also come into the fixture with a depleted roster. Cesc Fabregas’ positive Covid test last week is a set-back in his return to the fore. Monaco Life attended group training in La Turbie on Friday and can confirm the ongoing absences of Benoit Badiashile, Myron Boadu and Djibril Sidibe, all of whom continue to recover from the muscular injuries picked up against Nantes. The latter did engage in some light personal training, but was not involved with the group. They are joined by Eliot Matazo, who was also absent from training on Friday.

Although Aleksandr Golovin is back in group training, Clement isn’t confident that the midfielder will be ready for Montpellier. Monaco will hope that his absence won’t be pivotal, and that they can build upon last week’s emphatic victory, and close the gap on the Champions League places.

 

Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life

 

 

 

ASM tactical analysis: Flexibility, pigeons and the no.10 role

by: Luke Entwistle
19/01/2022

Philippe Clement’s reign as Monaco manager is only two games old, but the Belgian is wasting no time in implementing his style. However, he told Monaco Life that there are still issues to resolve.

AS Monaco’s emphatic 4-0 victory put paid to any notion that Clement wouldn’t be able to produce the same kind of attacking football that won him three consecutive league titles in his home country.

In the post-match press conference on Sunday, Clement once again set out the style in which he wants his team to perform. “We want to play a type of football that is very offensive, with a lot of plays within the opposition half, with a lot of players making forward runs.”

Despite a positive showing, it is clear that Clement is – understandably – still experimenting in order to find his best system.

Formational flexibility

The interchangeability, especially in the forward positions, made it difficult to discern Monaco’s formation for large periods, especially during the first-half. In the opening stages, Monaco were seemingly deploying a 3-1-4-2, but the emphasis under Clement has been more defined by player roles rather than positions, and the team’s set-up is more easily understood through this lens.

Aurelien Tchouameni played throughout as the deepest lying no.6 midfielder, Ismail Jakobs and Gelson Martins provided the width on the flanks, with the former slotting into a more conventional back four out of possession. Jean Lucas had the most fluid role, sometimes dropping deep to form a pivot with Tchouameni, filling in for Martins on the right flank and forming a dual no.10 role with Caio Henrique, who was once again deployed further up the pitch, at least in the first-half.

Within this there was a lot of interchangeability with Jakobs often switching with Henrique on the left, Jean Lucas switching with Martins on the right and Sofiane Diop often dropping deeper into the half-spaces between the two wide players.

On numerous occasions, this created scenarios where six Monaco players were playing on the Clermont back-line providing plenty of opportunities for overloads, especially on the flanks.

Jakobs departure for Wissam Ben Yedder at half-time triggered a change in shape, with Henrique retreating to his more familiar left-back berth and the team setting up in a more conventional 4-2-3-1. Kevin Volland dropped back into a no.10 role, Diop reverted back to his wide-left position, Martins played more as a conventional winger and Jean Lucas joined Tchouameni in defensive midfield.

By the end of the match, Monaco’s set-up had changed once again into a 4-4-2, or a 4-2-2-2, with Henrique and Ruben Aguilar providing the majority of the width, which was duly exploited by the former who netted his first goal for the club.

The reason for this is two-fold, as Clement explained to Monaco Life, “For the moment we are missing quite a few important players, so it’s getting to know the players and experimenting and reacting to situations.” The former Club Brugge manager added, “I always want to create wherever I am, not a team that can play one system because that’s too easy for the opponent to stop, but a versatile group of players that can play in different systems, in different ways.”

The formational tinkering for Clement therefore serves a purpose both in the short-term and in the long-term as he seeks to mould a team in his image.

The search for a No.10 continues

Volland, Diop, Henrique and Jean Lucas have all undertaken the task of being Monaco’s no.10 under Clement. However, none have yet fulfilled the manager’s criteria for the playmaker role. Following the victory against Clermont, he told Monaco Life, “You have Caio, Kevin, Sofiane and Jean Lucas who can play there in different ways. Maybe there will be other players who also show themselves because it’s a nice role to play.”

All of the aforementioned players had the opportunity to play in the role on Sunday, either on their own or in a dual 10 partnership. Questioned by Monaco Life on Diop’s suitability to the role in particular, Clement said, “Sofiane has qualities to play in this position, but he’s not a typical playmaker… he’s not someone who distributes a lot of balls.”

The new manager therefore demands a lot from his playmaker, and he outlined the three specific characteristics that he is looking for in his ideal conceptualisation of the role. “You can be decisive with a pass, a run or a finish. I hope to find someone who can do all of these. That would be very nice”

Aleksandr Golovin, a more conventional no.10 has yet to play since Clement’s arrival due to injury, and could well be the solution to the issue. “We’ll see over the next couple of weeks and months.” In that time, Clement is hoping that someone internally can posit themselves as a genuine candidate for the role. However, Clement’s citation of a two-week time frame, coincidentally the amount of time remaining in the transfer window, at least hints at the possibility that an external candidate could be on the cards.

Pigeons and action zones

The large flock of pigeons that guarded the space behind the Monaco defence in sweeper like fashion for large parts of the match caught the attention of many in attendance, including the cameraman. Their presence and ignorance to the ongoing match was a reflection of how dominant Monaco were, how little of the game was played in their own third.

A meagre 23% of the game was played in Monaco’s third, compared to the 32% played in the Clermont third. Even more starkly, Monaco had 168 touches in the opposition third and 33 touches in Clermont’s penalty area. Their opponents could only muster 108 touches in Monaco’s third and only eight touches in their area.

The pigeons’ presence was merely a visual representation of this dominance, illustrating almost comically how little threat was posed by the away side. Key to Monaco’s success at repelling Clermont’s threat was Clement’s insistence on occupying en-masse the opposition half. This condensed the space and subsequently blocked passing lanes that were essential to Clermont’s ball progression.

Tchouameni was also integral to Monaco’s success. The Frenchman, far from having plateaued under Niko Kovac’s stewardship, has kicked on even further since Clement’s arrival. Having provided an exhibition in intercepting and progressing the ball against Nantes the week before, his tackling came to the fore on Sunday. His eight tackles in the match are more than he has registered in any other game in the 2021-2022 season.

Clement is clearly still trying to get all the pieces of the puzzle to fit, but it’s always a good sign if the team can collect some confidence-boosting, emphatic victories in the process.

 

 

Photo of Philippe Clement by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life

 

 

 

Former Olympian Prince presents Monaco’s winter athletes

by: Luke Entwistle
18/01/2022

Prince Albert has revealed that Monegasque skier Arnaud Alessandria will be the Principality’s flag bearer in the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics, while bobsleigh duo Rudy Rinaldi and Boris Vain will also form Monaco’s team of athletes.

The presentation ceremony took place in the ballroom of the Monaco Yacht Club on Tuesday and brought together athletes, trainers and organisers as they prepare to leave for China in under two weeks’ time.

All three athletes are participating in their second Winter Olympics. Skier Alessandria competed in Sochi in 2014, whilst bobsledders Rinaldi and Vain both attended the 2018 instalment in PyeongChang. Anthony Rinaldi will be in reserve.

The 2022 games will represent the 11th consecutive Winter Olympics for Monaco, with Prince Albert II participating in five of those as a bobsledder. “I was very lucky to participate in five editions,” said the Prince during the presentation. “It was a unique and intense experience.”

He added, “During the tumultuous time that we are going through, these Olympic games constitute a pause, bringing hope and joy for everyone… Let’s be grateful for the privilege and the luck that has been given to us to experience these strong values, to represent worthily the Olympic Committee of Monaco and the Principality of Monaco during this exceptional event.”

It was announced during the presentation that Alessandria will have the honour of carrying the Monegasque flag during the opening ceremony on 4th February.

The Winter Olympics come just months after the delayed Tokyo Olympics, and the build-up has been dominated by both the Covid pandemic and the political back-drop of human rights abuses in China.

Despite a myriad of distractions, the focus of the athletes and indeed of the world is now firmly on the sport, as one of the greatest shows on earth gets underway in just over a fortnight.

Stay tuned for Monaco Life’s interview with skier Arnaud Alessandria.

 

 

Photo left to right: Anthony Rinaldi, Arnaud Alessandria, Prince Albert II, Boris Vain and Rudy Rinaldi, by Luke Entwistle for Monaco Life

 

 

 

Condors of Monaco shine

by: Stephanie Horsman
18/01/2022

In the midst of the pandemic, the Princess Charlene Foundation and the Monegasque Association for Latin America joined forces to create a rugby school for underprivileged kids in Ecuador. The result was the Condors of Monaco.

One third of Ecuadorians live below the poverty line, according to the latest data by the World Bank, an increase of over 28% on the previous decade.

As is almost always the case, children are the ones who suffer most and in Ecuador, this is no exception. As a result, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, along with the Monegasque Association for Latin America (AMLA), created a rugby school in 2021 aimed directly at the children in the capital city of Quito.

The school gives these deprived children a place to go and, according to the precepts of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, offers them a sense of well-being that contributes to overall development through the power of sport.

The school, named the Condors of Monaco, is operated by the Huma Rugby Ecuador programme of the Pichincha Rugby Association. The main objective is to cater to the neediest children, but places are available to anyone who wants to “share the universal values of sport and rugby in a spirit of camaraderie and friendship”.

The school’s first year saw 120 boys and girls between the ages of four and 14 hitting the field to play together, instilling friendship and learning good sportsmanship. Seven coaches were trained to teach the children the finer points of the game.

A special match was played on 7th December to round out the year at the brand-new stadium for the Ecuadorian football club, Independiente del Valle. The exhibition game allowed the children to show off the new skills they acquired and to demonstrate their progress to their parents.

Amongst the values learned over the course of this first season were discipline, respect, integrity, passion and solidarity, as well as following the Pichincha Rugby Association’s motto of “Rugby with an R for Respect”.

The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation’s Sport and Education programme was designed to contribute to the health and development of children by promoting sport in many forms.

 

 

Photo source: Huma Rugby Ecuador