There are 18 high-level sportsmen taken out of the ranks of The
Post office in France. Laurence Leboucher is the only champion untied from The Post office of all the West. In 28 years, this Alençonnaise accumulates the victories: champion of France Roads. Junior ( 89 ),
Champion of France cyclo-cross (2000), Champion of France MOUNTAIN BIKE (96,98,99 and 2000), champion Europe MOUNTAIN BIKE (98 and 2000), world champion MOUNTAIN BIKE ( 98 ).
She did not regrettably add Olympic medal to her brilliant prize
list. Meeting is thus taken in 2004 in Athens, and to do it, Laurence Leboucher is going to put all the chances from her part...
Le Perche : how did you come to the cycle?
Laurence Leboucher: when I was young, I looked at the Tour de
France at the TV. While seeing Bernard Hinault struggling in the mountain I had the click and where I am put in the cycle of road.
L. P.: you obtained good results on road. How you are spent in
the MOUNTAIN BIKE ?
L.L.: We suggested me running in MOUNTAIN BIKE a little bit
accidentally, in 95. That pleased me at once. And then my past on road served a lot me: now, I know that I have make the good choice.
L. P.: there is a big difference of mediatization between the
cycle of road and the MOUNTAIN BIKE. You do not find that inequitable?
L.L.: It is a still young sport, but there is not in. Complain.
The main advantage of the MOUNTAIN BIKE, it is because there is no this difference between men and women as in the cycle of road. We have the same calendars, the same runnings. There is more respect between the
runners.
L.P : Et sur, le plan du dopage, il y a aussi des différences ?
LL.: II had positive controls in the MOUNTAIN BIKE there also. It
is difficult in athlete's life of knowledge that that is made, that on the line, we have. Not every the same chances and as it is not because of the training... But in the MOUNTAIN BIKE, it is not organized as
on the road. II has no networks there. As for me, I ever took nothing and nobody ever came to see me to propose whatever it is... L.P.: How take place the trainings?
L.L.: I train around to me, to St-Léonard-des-Bois. But it is
necessary to know that 80 % of the training is made on road. For the championships of Europe or the World, I ride in team of France. Otherwise, I make party of an American team, Team G.T But from the next year,
I am going to create my own structure. In 28 years, I want to evolve, to choose my rides, my rhythm of training. It is less hard to manage because everything will depend only on me. And I can have a better
repair, be massed every day. During the preparations. It is like that that I plan to prepare Athens.
L.P. : Were you disappointed in Sydney?
L.L.: What arrived at me was totally unforeseen but I am not a
dupe. It is necessary to look in front of now. I have to keep my champion's copy of France on January 14th for Blaye and my world champion's title on February 3rd in Czech Republic.
L.. P.: what is your best recollection of competition?
LL.: I was selected for three Olympic Games. I have never had a
medal but I keep a tremendous recollection of the parade of the opening ceremony in Barcelona. This year, my trainers did not wish that I participate in it.
L.P.: To part! E MOUNTAIN BIKE, you have the other passions?
L. L: I have 15 cycles in my garage, but I also like the
go-carting, the motorcycle. And then the music, the guitar, the secondhand trades. And I have two asses about which I am crazy...
