Championships...

Season 2005-2006 of cyclo-cross begins quickly with the championships of Europe . Already, the Frenchwomen think of the championships of France and the championships of the World in Holland.




Interview of Laurence Leboucher (UV Fresnoise) (8/11/2005) - From www.velo101.com

"the end of my career will pass by the Championships of the World of cross-country race marathon."
 

At 33 years, Sarthoise Laurence Leboucher (UV Fresnoise) bade her farewell Sunday with the circuit of Coët-Roz, on which it had been crowned champion of the world of cyclo-cross in 2004 in Pontchâteau. The champion will put a term at her career in August 2006, it which counts with its prize list titles of champion of the world (cross-country race in 1998, cyclo-cross in 2002 and 2004), of champion of Europe (cross-country race in 1998, 2000 and 2001) and of champion of France (cross-country race in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002, cyclo-cross in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003).

Laurence, how did you live the Championships of Europe of Pontchâteau?
"I underwent the race, I believe that it is clear. I made the rubber band. Our adversaries were better than us. We were in good shape but that is not enough. I thought that Daphny Van Den Brand was going to lead always. In the group, Hanka Kupfernagel was not projecting either. Two stronger were the Dutchwomen, Daphny Van Den Brand and Marianne Your They had announced the color as of the first stage of the World cup in Kalmthout, while leaving Hanka on the dish. Us, that never sometimes happened to us to release it like that, therefore that wanted to say well that the Dutchwomen were in very good shape. It is what I feared and that was confirmed. There would have been only Hanka, we could perhaps have made differently. But there, one underwent more than another thing."

Is sixth, it a small disappointment?

"of champion of Europe of cyclo-cross I still missed the title but I was already four times champion of Europe of cross-country race then I will not cry today. It is true that if I had been able to add a line here, that would have been brilliant, but I was quite conscious that it would not be easy. Before the race, I had prevented that a medal, it would be an exploit of the team of France; two medals, it would be a super exploit; and that a title, it would be a record a tone above knowing what one had seen in Kalmthout, after the first stage of the World cup."

To run in did residence get an advantage?

"Yes, you cling because you are at home and that you that is not needed to bury thinks because one never knows... In the last bump, I said myself that in any event, I was null with the sprint, therefore I tried my chance while trying to attack. But I was so much badly that I am quickly stale. I tried but good... I could not even to any more put me upright in the last straight line. Normally, a sprint, that are done upright, but when died to you that is done sitted."

Don't the Championships of Europe arrive too early in the season?

"Not This year, we were even great shape than last year with Vossem. Last year, I was not projecting. And yet, I had finished third while Maryline Salvetat had been classified second. Today, we were in good form but one was made beat. It is like that."

Which is the program now?

"This week, one goes decompress. One will start by going to drink some beers this evening, that will make us good. Ca will remove the evil of legs because there, I spit the lungs! The continuation of the season will pass by the tests of World cup, the National Challenge, by the Championship of France and the Championship of the World."

The World ones which will dispute in the Netherlands, at Daphny Van Den Brand and Marianne Your...

"Yes, but the season is not finished! One will see well. It is true that this year, the Dutchwomen are motivated because they will dispute the Championships of the World in their country. It is similar which for us in 2004. With World of Pontchâteau, one had in heart to make well. Today, one was in residence but good, has there more extremely! That it is on the dish or undulating course, in this moment the Dutchwomen are the best. It will be seen whether they will be still the best with the Championships of the World, but the season is long."

What awaits you after the season of cyclo-cross?

"It will not be yet completely finished because I will do a little bit of road and especially the Championships of the World of cross-country race marathon. I also envisaged to make the Stage of the Turn. Six hours of bicycle, that does not make evil! I also organize an excursion VTT, the Laurence Leboucher, June 4 with Saint-Léonard-des-Bois, at home. One intends to bring together all the amateurs of VTT to discover the Alps Mancelles. They will see that it is not flat on our premises. Because everyone says to me that the Sarthe, it is flat, but how they come at home, in the Alps Mancelles, and they will see that it is not at all flat! It will be the occasion to make discover with the amateurs of VTT the landscapes sarthois. One also organizes a cyclo-cross on December 24, the cyclo-cross of Christmas, to prepare the midnight supper. Ca will put in appetite."

Will the end of your career thus pass by the World ones of cross-country race marathon?

"Yes, because the Championship of the World will proceed in France, August 13 with Oisans. Perhaps I will do one or two tests of the World cup marathon for me to prepare there but any more Olympic cross-country race. The objective will be at the end of August because I am taken with INSEP (note: National institute of the Sport and Physical Education) until the end of April. To prepare before me appears a little delicate and this time, I envisage to recover of my season of cyclo-cross before preparing the continuation. I will put then a term at my career at the end of August. One will try to organize a festival by on our premises. And after this jubilee, it is finished. I will not put on any more one number! I pass my professorship of sport. Afterwards, I will be on the circuits but on the other side of the barrier. With which functions? You will see that at the appropriate time."

Remarks collected with Pontchâteau on November 6, 2005