ZURICH (Switzerland) – At one point in the press conference, Grace Brown's eyes watered. Her analysis of the time trial she won by 16 seconds over Demi Vollering lasted the blink of an eye. then the conversation shifts to his announcement (made at the end of June) of his retirement at the end of the season. There's not much time left now. And after that the victory in Liège and the Olympic time trial gold, it seems really strange that at the end of 2024 the Australian will give it all up.
«I didn't know exactly what my energy levels would be like after the Paris Olympics – says the Australian who like Evenepoel he doubled the gold of Paris in Zurich – however I gave myself the space to change air a bit and not stress myself too much about the world championship. When I got back to training and started finalizing my training for this event, I was pleasantly surprised to still feel strong on the bikeI came here confident that I could do something."
The races counted
We are curious. How do you deal with fatigue, knowing you're on your last legs? Are you tempted to let her go, or do you hold on to her and befriend her? She listens, nods with a smile, and explains. There isn't a big crowd around, the words come through well even without the microphoneThe room has a beehive ceiling, and large windows look out onto the lake.
«I'm sure that this awareness – she tries to explain – helps me, because I have no alternative to mentally confrontI know this is my last season, and maybe that's given me the mental energy to focus 100 percent and bet everything on myself. This year, I asked myself what the outcome would have been if I'd focused everything on these two huge goals. And now that I've achieved them, I feel like I've reached my full potential and I finally know what that means».
A life choice
When though the discussion shifts to the emotional side of the matter, then Grace's smiling voice changes tone. You understand how painful it is to leave everything behind and, at the same time, how burdensome it is to spend months away from home. Perhaps only now can we truly perceive the distance between Australia and Europe.How many people have asked you to do another year? And what do you think when they ask?
"I think I've lost count," he smiles, "probably more than a thousand. But yes, it would be nice, obviously, to keep playing sports. I would like to continue to contribute to the sport and continue to contribute to cycling and the enthusiasm for women's cycling., which is an important part of all this. I'm sure that next year, when I watch the races, I'll be sorry I can't be there anymore.
«But the reason why I chose to quit is not because I fell out of love with cycling. I do it because The life I've put aside in Australia for the last six plus years is bringing me back and it's stronger than my love for cyclingThat's why I'm quitting. This year's results have always been my goals, and I've been preparing to achieve them, so they won't suddenly make me change my mind."
Two more
There's love and melancholy. Then you understand that maybe Having achieved certain results could have been the trigger to turn the page and seek the same satisfactions in a slightly more normal life.
"Here in Europe," she explains, "we probably don't realize what it means for an Australian athlete to work in cycling. I think even many of my teammates and competitors don't really understand the sacrifices I've made. I have a husband, but he's in Australia. What makes quitting and coming home perfect is the presence of my family and friends.I don't know, I feel good when I get back there and frankly I count the days. Not a day goes by without me getting hugs and having some little celebration, but my mind is still on the bike. I'm going to be relaying with this team on Wednesday and I can't wait.I haven't done it in recent years only because it came before the individual time trial. But this year I've raised my hand and I can't wait to race. I think we have a strong team and I hope I can compete for the gold medal there too.
«And then, of course, there's the road race next Saturday.Our team is really strong. We don't have an absolute favorite, but I think if we're tactically intelligent, we can have a good chance."
Said by someone who in Liège he held firm on all the cotes and then beat our Longo Borghini in the sprint, It sounds vaguely threatening. Don't be offended, Grace, we're all with you and your emotions today, but on Saturday we'll all be rooting for Longo.
