^{Interview of Lucie Garnier (Team MTB 72)}

^{" Laurence advises me enormously and I have the luck to be a part of its structure ".}

 Who brought you to the MOUNTAIN BIKE directly?

 " In fact, I had accompanied my brothers in the TNJV of Flaine, the atmosphere was nice, and then, I had heard about Laurence (EDITOR'S NOTE: Leboucher). A girl who realizes that in the sport, that enjoyed me well and then to travel, because the cycle that makes travel, it is great. "

How you lead the studies with the movements and the trainings?

 " It is necessary to get organized, my friends take the courses for me, my relatives send them to me by fax. Otherwise, I try to set of the advance when I am for the training but that takes place well. It is perfectly practicable, I want to lead the studies and the sport as long as possible. My brothers made terminal S, while continuing the competition, he is not right there that I do not arrive there. And then Laurence incites me to continue like that, the MOUNTAIN BIKE is not a sport on which we can live on it, thus so much assure. "

 This season, how were you organized on the competitions?

 " In fact, I have the luck to be a part of the team MTB 72 of Laurence, that works well and to live that in 2002, it was brilliant. " 

In 2002, exactly, what were your best moments?

 " At first, the victory to Guérêt in Cup of France, then the podium in the championships of France, in the Orres, 3rd and then my victory in the Cliff of Azure. It was raised and to win over there, it is something! Even the other results are interesting: 3rd to Plouha, 8th to Font-Romeu and 2nd to Annecy. "

 To your opinion, what are your key points and your weak points?

 " I think that my big key point, it is the mental. To Guérêt, I proved it because I win on the line having returned by far. Then my weak point, it is maybe the technique. In the Mayenne, we have less lowering then the progress is lesser, it is necessary to compensate by riding more. "

Your trainings, it is rather road or MOUNTAIN BIKE?

 " With Franck Thomas, my trainer in the CA Evron, I make not bad road and I like that. I am regional champion of the Countries of the Loire and I end 12th on 80 in the championships of France. The MOUNTAIN BIKE stays all the same my priority but the road allows to compensate for little of tests MOUNTAIN BIKE which there is in the season. "

 What are your objectives for 2003?

 " At first, I am going to try to make of the road and the MOUNTAIN BIKE, if possible I shall be younger 2, the main objective will be the championships of France and the Cup of France. In front of me, there will be Anna Israël, we have the same level and the fight looks beautiful! "

In cycle, what are your reference runners?

 " Obviously Laurence, and then Paola Pezzo, they won everything. At the men, Miguel Martinez for what he showed on the MOUNTAIN BIKE and in the last Tour de France, and then Armstrong, obviously. "

 You speak about runners who leave on the road, is the MOUNTAIN BIKE in danger?

 " It is certain that the MOUNTAIN BIKE falls gradually. With my brothers, the first years were brilliant in the point of view atmosphere, public... Today, that has to move, otherwise it's serious. For the bikers which go on the road, that seems to me normal, they look for new objectives having won everything or almost. They are right to try. "

In your success, which part you attribute to each: your family, Laurence, your trainer?

 " At first and naturally, my family. My brothers brought a lot me at the level of the motivation and of the training. They made me Laurence known who advises me enormously and I have the luck to be a part of her structure. When I see the number of candidates, it is a big luck. Finally, my club and my trainer, naturally. "

 Comment taken on December 10th, 2002 by Cycle 101.