Brochard was a runner and started cycling competitively at 19. He started with Castorama and became part of Festina cycling team. His role in Festina was super-domestique, supporting stars such as Richard Virenque but able to ride competitively when given the chance. He was implicated in the Festina scandal in the 1998 Tour de France.
After serving his suspension, Brochard joined Ag2r Prévoyance as leader and had successes in races such as Critérium International and Étoile de Béssèges. He then moved to Bouygues Télécom.
He is a fan of Belgian comic character Marsupilami, often wearing Marsupilami logo and clothing at races.