Périgord Ladies/Picto-Charentaise: first races of Elyne Roussel
The Périgord Ladies and the Picto-Charentaise will be the Arkéa Pro Cycling Team’s two races following the Tour de France Femmes. Elyne Roussel, a 17-year-old rider from Brittany, will be making her debut with the team as a trainee.
“I’m very happy to be starting as a trainee in the Arkéa Pro Cycling Team jersey this weekend. Being from Brittany and racing for a Breton team gives me extra motivation. I’m going to be discovering a new world, that of professional racing, and I can’t wait! I’m here to gain experience by being at the service of my team-mates, who are much more seasoned than I am. I hope to build on my form at the Glasgow World Championships and put all my energy into helping the red and black team!”
“I’m coming off the French Espoirs championships where I’m pleased with my condition and my result (8th, editor’s note), having finished in the group vying for 2nd place. On Saturday, we can expect an even tougher final circuit. There’s little chance of a bunch sprint. An early breakaway could very well go all the way. We’ll have to be on our guard to make sure we’re in the right moves and in a good position to keep our chances of a good result at the finish alive.”
“The Périgord Ladies on Saturday and the Picto-Charentaise on Sunday are two similar, hilly races that can end in a sprint. For some, it marks the return to competition after the Tour de France Femmes. Marie-Morgane Le Deunff and Lucie Liboreau have already been able to get back into the race rhythm at the French Espoirs championships held in Brittany last Saturday, where the terrain is similar to what we’ll find this weekend. These are also two class 2 events, which means that they will be run without earphones. It’s a good way for all our girls, who are still young in cycling, to hone their racing skills and sharpen their tactical sense. Finally, it will be an opportunity for Elyne Roussel to take her first steps in the professional world as a trainee in our team. A promising Breton cyclist, Elyne has just finished 11th in the junior road world championships in Glasgow and helped the French team to victory.”