The French national team that will compete in the women's World Championships on Saturday has a unique lineup. Juliette is there. Labous team captain, there is Cédrine Kerbaol to take into consideration on a route with a lot of climbing, there is the Olympic mountain biker Pauline Ferrand-Prevot who on this occasion gets closer to the road where he will spend the rest of his career. Among the "bleuses" there is also Marion Bunel, the only Under 23, one of the most prominent elements in this part of the season.
Yes, because we are talking about the winner of the Future Tower which had run immediately before Tour Femmes and immediately after she proved to be ready for the absolute category by conquering the second place in the Tour of the Ardeche. These are not the only results of her season but they are enough to have attracted the attention of many WorldTour teams on her., who see in the nineteen-year-old Bernay a prospect with a sure future.
What is your history as a cyclist, how did you start?
It's a family story that dates back to my great-grandparents who were bicycle dealers in a small town in Normandy.Then there was my grandmother who met my grandfather, a cyclist, and together they had my father, who had also been cycling since he was 13 and who passed this passion on to me when I was 5. Could I not have dedicated myself to cycling?
Together with his family, here at Alpe d'Huez after the Tour stage (photo LP/Laurent Derouet)
You've seen big improvements this year. What do you think is the reason for this?
My team definitely helped me learn a lot, especially in the various races on the professional calendar.They also offered me what was truly necessary to be able to progress. I can say that I have put in a mental growth, a different approach to the competitions, I have a strong motivation to emerge and this means that I am much more rigorous in my training, I pay attention to details.
How important is it to be able to race against the best in the world and not follow a calendar limited to your category?
It's a dream to race against the biggest teams, but it's also the goal. Ever since I was very little, I dreamed of competing in big competitions, against older girls. It's clear that this is something exceptional, but it's important for growing, getting used to an ever-increasing level. I think that's the key to my growth.
How important was the experience you gained in the Tour de France femmes in your victory at the Tour de l'Avenir?
The Tour de France before the Avenir helped me gain a lot of pace, and it put me in the right condition, especially since the level of competition was very different. So much so that in the Avenir I didn't suffer at all; I was at ease. The Tour de France week was really very intense, very fast, with long distances. I approached the Grande Boucle with excellent preparation, even if I had room for improvement, and I managed to progress throughout its evolution, and this meant that I didn't start the next race tired, but on the contrary I had found myself in good condition.
You know that in Italy you're considered a role model for young athletes who compete against the best to emerge. What differences do you find between the national competitions you compete in and the international ones?
Maybe the composition of the group. Racing at an international level really allows you to compete with girls from all over the world. It's a different approach, the level is necessarily higher, you have to give it your all to emerge and you always push yourself to your limits.In terms of race strategy, it's still not quite the same; the attacks are more carefully planned, you have to carefully calculate how to move. Racing at a national level allows you to meet girls you get used to racing with more often, you know each other. The races become a little more predictable. It's not easy to find a comprehensive answer, but I believe both are important for developing.
Was it more difficult to win the Avenir or to finish 2nd in the Ardèche?
Maybe the victory, because I had to dig deep inside myself to find itBut I was so motivated about running and it was something I wanted so badly that I didn't realize it took a lot of commitment. It felt natural. In Ardèche I made the same efforts, I gave my best but it wasn't enough to win.
What are your characteristics, your favorite routes?
High mountain races that require efforts longer than 10 minutes. I really like the mountains, especially the high mountains, the Alps. That's why the Tour de France and the Avenir are my ideal races.
With your results, WorldTour teams would surely like to hire you, why are you continuing your career in the team? Saint Michel-Mavic-Auber 93 WE which is a continental team?
I owe it to them if they gave me the opportunity to reach an even higher level this year. They have everything for me, they have truly given me an exceptional year, so I thank them enormously for that. It was the ideal place to learn, to start my first races. And then, thanks to them, I was able to race in the bigger races. I did the Tour in my first year, which was something exceptional, and that's what allowed me to gain strength throughout the year, to see how far I could go. Next year I will continue on this path, then we'll see.
Are you disappointed that there isn't a specific race for the U23s at the World Cup?
Yes, yes, definitely. I know it's something planned for next year. But it's clear that women's cycling has made so much progress in recent years that it certainly would have been an improvement that wouldn't have cost much. I believe that if we were able to create a quality Avenir, there could have been a World Cup reserved for us.It will mean that I will be racing against the strongest in the world, it's nothing new for me and it doesn't scare me.
Is there a cyclist who inspires you?
Absolutely and she is your compatriot, Elisa Longo BorghiniHis courageous yet careful way of running, his verve, his ability to win everywhere are a reference for me.
What is your dream?
Honestly, it would be to be world champion and win the TourThey're dreams, but who knows, they might come true soon...
