Inspired by skier Laurence St-Germain’s world championship title, cyclist Simone Boilard strives to banish bad luck in order to perform in competition.
Even if she is gradually consolidating her place in the world elite, the 22-year-old would soon like to feel the pride of a satisfactory result.
Boilard, a member of the St-Michel-Mavic-Auber 93 team, hasn’t had a bad season so far, but the stars aren’t set for him to celebrate loud and clear in 2023 just yet.
The photo comes from the website of the St-Michel-Mavic-Auber 93 team
In France, Simone Boilard has become one of the faces of her formation St-Michel-Mavic-Auber 93. Here she is with South African cyclist Morne Van Niekerk.
She’s confident in training and aiming better than the few top 20’s collected at major events since January.
“It’s not catastrophic, but I haven’t had the start of the season that I would have liked. Something happens to me at every race and it could be better,” she says, even though spring is still young.
among the elites
Despite her lack of experience, Simone Boilard still flirts among the top 20 or 25 female cyclists in the world. In her opinion, she has to play her cards optimally and make the right decisions in the race.
“I read Laurence St-Germain’s story and really found myself in his words. It’s frustrating when you’re doing well in training and coming to the competition with a lot of ambition without being able to reproduce your performance.
The cyclist does not want to come home with a bitter aftertaste in the next few weeks.
“I’m tired of being disappointed,” said Laurence, also from Quebec, before realizing the unthinkable.
The reward Simone is so hoping for doesn’t seem far away.
“I haven’t thought it through yet. I’m waiting for the little spark. As a Quebecer, it’s good to have a role model like Laurence. You have to give yourself time. There are models that evolve later,” she adds.
In Roubaix
In a few days, Simone Boilard will have the opportunity to shine on the cobblestones of Paris-Roubaix. The female version of this mythical monument will be contested on April 8 over a distance of 125 kilometers. Last year she finished 61st, just over 9 minutes behind winner Elisa Longo Borghini.
“I’ve been looking forward to a second chance at Roubaix for a year. The cobblestone streets of Paris-Roubaix are disgusting. It hits and it hurts!”
His calendar also includes the Flèche Wallonne and the Vuelta in Spain from May 1st to 7th. She is also planning a road trip to Edmonton in June to compete in the Canadian Elite Championship.
Olympic games
The group of cyclists expected to represent Canada at the 2024 Paris Olympics has already been identified.
Fifteen months before this big meeting, Boilard remains cautious. “This year I don’t think I’ve managed to go to the Olympics, but yes, I hope so. We all dream of it. I would be lying if I said I didn’t think of it. That would be stunning.”
Simone lives in Nice with her boyfriend Nickolas Zukowski, also a professional cyclist, and believes the isolation is less painful as several fellow Canadians have chosen to settle in Europe.
“The more we are, the better. The secret is to be able to have a home. The conditions are also better in women’s cycling,” summarizes the athlete, who is studying administration and marketing.