Léandre Bouchard wants to win the only national title missing from his record.
For the first time since 2016, Baie-Saint-Paul will be the site of the Canadian Mountain Bike Championships this weekend. Bouchard and his cross country colleagues will be featured on Friday when the nationals kick off.
“I want to end my season on a high note and I am very keen to win the national title,” Bouchard said on Monday after returning from the last World Cup of the season in Snowshoe, West Virginia.
“I am very happy with my season. Of the seven World Cup stages I took part in, I finished first among the Canadiens on six occasions. During the season, you don’t think about that because you want to get ahead of the best, but it’s revealing as the nationals approach. “
“I am happy with my efforts and my results, to continue the 28-year-old runner from Alma who has notably signed 15e and 19e places in May in the World Cup and a 28e position at the world on August 28 in Italy. I have been consistent and can be proud of. I still have room to progress and it is very promising in my goal of reaching a Top 10 in the World Cup. “
Motivation in the piton
Despite his deep disappointment at not being selected for the Tokyo Olympics, Bouchard did not give up. “I was super motivated and I had a lot of fun playing my sport and surpassing myself,” he explained. Despite the ups and downs, motivation is there. “
“The Olympics are a very emotional event, but I don’t live just for a competition,” continued the Olympian from the Rio Games in 2016. I turned the page and moved on. We appealed the Cycling Canada decision because we disagreed, but we lost our appeal. At the nationals, I want to prove that I am the man for the job and speak with my legs. “
Bouchard will continue his journey until the Paris Games in 2024. “It is possible that I will continue after 2024, but I have decided to continue until minimum Paris. I am well surrounded with the presence of partners who support me. It frees my mind and takes the pressure off. “
Only Canadian in Tokyo where he finished in 26e Instead, Ontarian Peter Disera will be in Charlevoix to try to sign a third consecutive national title after his successes in 2018 and 2019. The nationals were canceled in 2020.
“Peter is a friend, but I know I can beat him,” said Quebec rider Pivot Cycles OTE, as I did last weekend at Snowshoe. Charlevoix is very close to where I live and it represents a special cachet to run in Baie-Saint-Paul. “
Bouchard’s teammate and national bronze medalist in 2019, Marc-André Fortier is aiming for a place on the podium. “If I have a good day, anything is possible,” he summed up. I want to join in the battle. I had a slow start to the season, but I’ve taken a second breath in the last two months and it’s going really well. It’s encouraging. “
Short circuit
The short circuit will be in the spotlight on Saturday and the masters will be in action on Sunday to close the nationals. This will be the first year in which national titles will be awarded in the short circuit. This spectacular event serves to boost cross country on the World Cup circuit and establish the start list.
“It’s an event that I really like,” said Bouchard. We are asserting ourselves as the best Canadian team and we will show it in Baie-Saint-Paul. Because we have several good riders, we will be able to play tactics. “
On the women’s side, Olympic medalist and world champion Catharine Pendrel will take part in her last career nationals. Defending champion Emilie Batty will also be present.
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