Leader confirmed by the feminine MOUNTAIN BIKE in France

Laurence Leboucher aims top at five

Laurence Leboucher finishes a season 96 rich in satisfactions with notably champion's title of France and a participation in the Olympics. Already among ten better specialists world, she will compete in 97 for a place within five first ones. Probably with the support of a new team.
ALENÇON. For Laurence Leboucher, age 24, 1995 had been a very convincing probationary season. Four stages of the Cup of France had fallen in its moneybag. More four places on the podium. That is eight medals on eight possible.
" Considering this favorable progress, I had been very disappointed by my classification in the championship of (seventh) France. Then, one of my objectives in 96 was exactly to pick up this title. " Accomplished Mission. With in addition three victories in section of France on four ended tests.
The second objective achieves by Alençonnaise: the J.O of Atlanta. " I have to admit however that I shall not preserve a very good recollection. " And nevertheless, she picked up a very honorable place there. " Certainly, but the Games it is particular. What counts above all it is the podium. Followed each other three weeks of decompression with a failure during the championships of Europe. " It was the horror. Nothing went. I finished beyond the 20th place. " Things were going to arrange during the Tour MOUNTAIN BIKE where she ended second behind the Norwegian Dalhé.

Probably a new team

In the middle of September, it flew away with the team of France for Cairns in Australia where were organized world championships. Result: seventh. A classification corresponding to its previous performances during four stages of world cup in which she took part this season: twice 8th and 6th. " My objective in 97 will exactly be to progress in this world hierarchy. I would like to go into the group five better. "
To put a maximum of trump cards from his part Laurence Leboucher intends to change team. " If the project succeeds, I shall integrate a structure of three runners. We shall move together in part the world by knowing that we should benefit every time of a trainer, a mechanic and a logistic support to facilitate us systematically the estate management. " Young person but very experimented, Ornaise looks like first french launched to the conquest of the MOUNTAIN BIKE this New World ".

R.B

Ouest-France october 23th 1996.

MOUNTAIN BIKE: victorious
Laurence Leboucher, of Paris-Roubaix

Of maid expects...

ALENÇON. The ornaise Laurence Leboucher ( UC.Alencon-Damigny) has done it again on Sunday in Paris-Roubaix MOUNTAIN BIKE. Winner in 93, she entered the first one on the velodrome of Roubaix, with 3 mn beforehand on the one who was going to put in her the pressure throughout 156 km of special. Laurie Leroy, champion of Belgium. " I was always ahead of schedule on her but she stuck me all the time. My only advantage it was on the redoubtable pavements over which I spread much better that she. " An error of riding on these pavements on Sunday morning on behalf of the Belgian vététiste allowed Laurence Leboucher to dig the distance time and to end almost fresh and available the famous ride of the North.

Ouest-France in April 16th, 1996

Laurence Leboucher champion of France

15 days having learnt her selection for Olympic games of Atlanta, Laurence Leboucher demonstrated, again, that we could base many hopes on her. On Sunday, to Métabief, she imposed upon the championship of France of MOUNTAIN BIKE CROSS-COUNTRY, leaving behind her Sandra Temporelli with more than 3 ' 27. " I knew that the best were there and that it was necessary to make the ride ", underlines the new young champion of France. " The course was very difficult and very technical, especially in the descent. To win, I had to make a ride without errors ".

Ten days after a fall

Ten days after a spectacular fall against a tree which was worth to her numerous stitches on the face, Laurence thus made, this time, a perfect performance. " During the ride, I tried to relax at most, to remain lucid up to the end, and to assure for the title ", she explains. With champion's title of France, Laurence forgets not less her preparation for the Olympic Games of Atlanta. " In the games, it will be a special, unique ride. It will be very different from a stage of world cup. The course will be very physical. It will again be necessary to remain lucid in spite of the pressure and very well to manage its ride ".

Le Maine libre Fuly The1^st , 1996

ALENÇON. It is indisputable, the year 96 is that of Laurence Leboucher, Yesterday to Métabief in the Doubs, it obtained champion's title of France MOUNTAIN BIKE. A second national title which follows upon the one that she had picked up in 89 on road. Considered as the favourite of this championship, she was easily led with more than three minutes beforehand over the second, Francilienne Sandra Temporelli.

Ouest-France in July 2nd, 1996

 The OLYMPIC GAMES OF ATLANTA, FEMININE MOUNTAIN BIKE CROSS-COUNTRY

Laurence Leboucher, 11th: " she had to tempt her luck " no, Laurence Leboucher the member of the Cycle Union Alençon-Damigny did not leave too fast. She simply tempted her chance, by hanging on the best during a tour.. The heat of Atlanta, bordering 40 degrees in this afternoon of Tuesday, July 30th, will have kinked her She takes the eleventh place and has to have no regret... Return on the ride, together with her father and her three brothers.

Tuesday, July 30th.

It is 2:30 am in Atlanta. The test of cross-country MOUNTAIN BIKE reserved for the feminine is going to be launched. Among the competitors at first, Laurence Leboucher naturally, the member of the Cycle Union Alençon-Damigny, native of Saint-Léonard-des-Bois. In the small municipality of the North the Sarthe, it is 8:30 am. To Leboucher: the relatives and three brothers of Laurence, Gaétan, David and Hervé.

Few images. A little bit frustrating

They know now that allocates her in given summer, but no image is then broadcast on the television. Frustrating? " Naturally, confide her father. But we are used. The ride, especially feminine, are never broadcast in its entirety " The first information concerning this Mountain bike test, they will have them only much later.
By listening to the radio, they learn that Laurence Leboucher was outstripped in the second tour and that she holds then the tenth place. It is then necessary to wait still so that the first images reach.
Laurence ended her ride for a long time now, for more than one hour. But within the family, we know nothing more that this tenth place in the second tour. " And when Laurence does not call up at once, it is that it is not very good ", Said her dad.
Review. The images show bikers approaching the end of the first tour... We perceive the MOUNTAIN BIKE n°11 of Laurence, then in the third place... New images about ten kilometres farther. Bikers buckles their second tour. Italian Paula Pezzo determinedly took the head, while the cameramen linger some seconds over Laurence Leboucher. She was dropped out, and counts approximately two minutes of delay on the Italian, followed by the Canadian Alison Sydor, by the American Susan De Mattei and by some other participants.

" The opened shirt: we have never seen her like that "

Laurence's face is marked. She opened her shirt. She seems to toil terribly. The faces of Leboucher stretch out by perceiving these images, by seeing her having so much evil: " we have never seen her opening her shirt like that ". Said her brothers. She) seems to be really hot Comment of the television reporters: " it is henceforth finished hopes of medal for Laurence Leboucher Elle is about five minutes of the girls of head maybe she left too fast? "

Mr Leboucher shakes the head

" She had no choice. Laurence knew pertinently that to pick up possibly a medal, it was necessary to her to seize her luck, if she appeared. She could not let leave girls in front of. She acted as she had foreseen her. "
The last images will not show more than the head of the ride, and the one who was going to pick up the golden medal besides already world champion, the Italian Pezzo. " Three first ones are really very strong. Will comment on the family. 11th " Laurence did not make a bad ride, the logic is respected... " She will take the 1le place, in 8 ' 09 of the golden medal. " This is in accordance with her results in section of the world, where she is classified in ten. In view of the table dice results, they deserved the pleasant surprise to see other one of the big favourites, the American Furtado to clock just two places over Laurence.... " She would have been able to beat her... "

No disappointment in the clan Leboucher: " It is can say a disappointment for her, because when we go to the Games; it is to tempt the whole for the whole, We knew all that it was necessary to her of the luck to surprise today. Then there are the other rides, the season is far from being ended. There will be. So certainly the others J.O., where Laurence will have been still able to progress, technically, and in power. What is pity, it is this heat, indeed, that bothered a lot her. The men did not seem to suffer like that....

 Laurence Leboucher still proves this time that she is a part ten better world, " in the Olympic Games of big level, because all the nations are present this time ". Comment rightly on Mr. Leboucher Unless she is only 24 years old. Her great opponents are quite at least 28 years old " The feminine Mountain Bike seems reserved for the women of experience, commented a television reporter... We look forward to the Games of Sydney.

LAURENCE LEBOUCHER HAS NO REGRET

" one day, I shall hold three tours... During a tour, that is approximately ten kilometres, Laurence Leboucher collided Pezzo, Sydor and other Furtado, big favourites on the international level... Then, in the second tour, the young member of the Cycle Union Alençon-Damigny tore. Pezzo and Sydor began to take minutes... " They went, very fast. I exploded. It was the oven it's true. The day D when it was so warm. Most warmly that we never had. Even the boys toiled from the morning. The Previous days, in the training, that went fast. It is true that it was not also warm. But the heat does not have to be an excuse. She was for Pezzo there also. "
With this 11th place, Laurence Leboucher has no regret: 6th, 10th. 11th it doesn't much matter. In the Games, what counts, it is the podium. I gave everything. I made what I had to make. Some people say that I left too fast. But if I had let them leave from the beginning, never I would have resumed them. And if I had saved to make sixth, there is no interest. I cannot be disappointed, because I took all the risks. That did not pass. That cracked in the second tour. I would redo the same thing if it was to redo. She will keep however an education of this ride : " I say to myself that one day, I shall hold three tours... " Laurence naturally hints at the next Olympic Games. Sydney: she will be 28 years old, more technique still and more resistance.
Laurence Leboucher stayed in Atlanta to follow the last Olympic tests in spectator and participate in the closing ceremony. " The objective it is to recover fast because the season is far from being ended. " Laurence Leboucher's schedule is indeed still well charged: world cup in Gets on August 11th, world cup in Norway on August 18th but especially championship of Europe in Italy from 21 till 25 August and tour of France Mountain Bike. from August 18th till September 4th. Laurence Leboucher still has numerous chances to make speak about her.

ORNE HEBDO in August 7th, 1996

MOUNTAIN BIKE: Laurence Leboucher assists of the Tour MOUNTAIN BIKE

Allocates on Monday for Australia Laurence Leboucher remained on the second place of the Tour MOUNTAIN BIKE up to its final classification. On Monday she will leave for world championships for Australia. ALENÇON. The Tour MOUNTAIN BIKE 96, given rhythm by eight stages in Lozère and Isère, arrived on Wednesday at Scales. With this arrival ends Laurence Leboucher's new adventure the participation of which was the first one. Second in the final classification behind the Norwegian Gunn Rita Dalhé, the athlete alençonnaise declares himself " satisfied with this result. I am on my place in this classification " she explained. I thought that week of competition would be more difficult to manage. Finally I am perceived to me that had made it and on one made uneven more important than last year. My regret it is because Dalhé is Untouchable. I was really able nothing to make. "
Victim of one flat on Sunday on the stage connecting Chapelle-en-Vercors / Lans-en-Vercors (49 km), she finished all the same on the podium in the term of 358 km of special and 110 km of connection. A supplementary experience in the Laurence Leboucher's exceptional season which did not end it with the movements.

Ouest-France in September 6th, 1996

LAURENCE LEBOUCHER
IN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Small misfortunes and a 7th place

 After the Olympic Games, the world championships with Cairns. In Australia, were the other big meeting with the international elite of Laurence Leboucher for this season 1996. For this test, the member of the Cycle Union Alençon Damigny wanted to make of preview before her departure: " for these day of ride, it is difficult to pronounce. Everything can arrive ". Including the small misfortunes. And Laurence Leboucher will have made expenses this time. Left nevertheless for the fourth line (a choice of the national trainer), Laurence Leboucher rather quickly returned in the trio of head: " The national trainer had a choice to be made He decided to leave the first line with Temporelli for whom this very technical circuit better had to be convenient. But finally, in spite of my bad place, I managed to go back up well, in the fact that my wheel takes itself a heavy loss. I fell.

The time to recover from his feelings and to resume the rhythm, Laurence Leboucher left good train. Hardly she began to redo her delay that a new incident perturbed her ride : " my chain fell. While I crossed a speed... " We are then mid-term and Laurence meets himself again 45th... Everything was to redo. " I then met myself in a descent where we were in single file and where it was impossible to double... Finally, in the last three tours, I am gone back up to the seventh place.

" I am not to be disappointed " 

Funny ride where Laurence Leboucher would have maybe, in spite of a circuit which was not among its preferred, makes a beautiful performance:. " We cannot say and I am not to be disappointed in, if I had had no these small incidents, I would maybe have failed, When in my fall as in my chain, it is a part of incidents which can arrive, and I have only to take myself that to myself. It belongs to us to be watchful... " Of return of Australia, she left for a new test of cup of France, to Fécamp, where she was led free from problems: " I had the good legs, in spite of the jet lag, and I really wanted to win... "
Four cups of France, three victories... A cup of France which Laurence Leboucher cannot however gain this year: " I missed it three, because of the Olympic Games. It was a choice to make. It will be for the next year. " A season of which it is soon necessary to think. The year indeed ends for Vététiste which will compete for another two competitions: the Moser mountain bike on October 6th and finale of the cup of France. " One year, which will have been very difficult indeed, because of the long journeys... But it is the own of the Olympic years...

 The Orne Hebdo in October 3rd, 1996

COMMUNICATION

PARIS NORMANDY regional Publishing
Fécamp / BasseNormandie September The 30th, 1996

Cup of France: Laurence Leboucher wins and dreams about World cup
 

The elite of the French MOUNTAIN BIKE met itself this weekend on the heights of Fécamp for the front the last stage of the Cup of France. A meeting that the Norman Laurence Leboucher, the champion of France titular could not ignore.

Nevertheless, before the departure, pilot of " The post office MBK " was sceptical. Brought in on Thursday morning of Australia where she ended seventh of the world championship of cross-country (in Cairns), she could, legally to be tired, jet lag obliges! " But at once, I felt that I was in good shape. And Nathalie Ségura's ultra-fast departure did not make me doubt. Moreover, from the first bump, she was calmed. " And Laurence, who began the cycling on road in Alençon, took care of the ride. " I waited a little for Sandra Temporelli but she was too just. " It had left for a magnificent " one-woman-show ". On a course hilly and swept by a violent wind, she demonstrated that her 11th place in the Games of Atlanta and her 7th place in the recent Australian World championships owe nothing at random.

" In spite of this success to Fécamp, I cannot win the Cup of France, her confided after her victorious arrival. To participate in the Olympic Games. It was necessary to make impasses. But I regret nothing.Olympivs, This is every four years The Cup of France, I can take it next year. "

The Orne Hebdo in September 31st, 1996