After a good start to the season, the next three months will be crucial for cyclist Simone Boilard, who can still hope to qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris.
Although she refuses to at least publicly consider the possibility of becoming an Olympian, the 23-year-old Quebecer is being seriously considered in the selection process, which ends May 31.
As with the men, the women's peloton will be limited to 90 athletes and Canada will only be able to field two women in both the time trial and road race. At the moment, reigning Paris-Roubaix champion Alison Jackson, Abitibienne Olivia Baril and Simone Boilard may be at the top of the list, but nothing is won for anyone.
“I think Simone has as good a chance as the other two, Alison and Olivia,” says Louis Barbeau, director general of the Fédération québécoise des sports cyclists (FQSC).
A great swing
Boilard, who is originally from Quebec, would rather not think about it too much at the moment. So far she has been able to avoid health problems and falls.
“This is my best training winter. I changed team, method and preparation. I'm really feeling better so far. I'm taking advantage of it because it's the first year something like this has happened to me,” explains the cyclist, who is now affiliated with the Norwegian training program Uno-X Mobility.
Last year the cyclist had her best moments at the end of the season, between August and October, especially with a great victory in Belgium. From the restart in January 2024, she was close to the podium in Spain and achieved another top ten finish the next day in the victory of her Canadian compatriot Magdeleine Vallières.
“The big races are starting for me and it’s exciting. We can have great opportunities. I plan to be at the peak of my form in April,” says Boilard, citing his upcoming program of prestigious events such as Strade Bianche, Gent-Wevelgem, the Tour of Flanders, Amstel Gold and the Flèche Wallonne.
Barring injury, Olivia Baril should be selected for the Games after her best performance in the elite individual time trial of the 2023 World Road Championships (19th).
Wordup.no / Photo provided by the Uno-X Mobility team
Under the microscope
For her part, Alison Jackson, 35, is not guaranteed a spot. Despite his Tokyo Olympic experience, his incredible victory at Paris-Roubaix in 2023 came too soon, before the process began. She's probably the best sprinter in the group, but she doesn't climb as well. Simone, for her part, shines in every terrain and her start to the season seems to be better. The next three months will be crucial and one of them will be a disappointment.
“In my head, I’m not going there right now. Olivia and Alison are the two headliners. I'm not thinking about the Olympics and I don't want to disappoint myself. For me there are some great races that I want to explore this season. When I go to the games it will be a nice surprise,” concludes Simone Boilard.
Starting Saturday, March 2, the three Canadians will be ready to compete in three different teams during the Strade Bianche, a 137-kilometer Italian event.