Road cycling | Two Quebecers at the Paris Games?

Two Quebec cyclists could be selected for the road events of the Paris Olympic Games, which would be a first since 2004.

Barring a surprise or bad luck, Olivia Baril will experience her first Olympics next summer. However, she is awaiting official confirmation, somewhere in early June, before rejoicing and devoting herself to her preparation.

The Rouyn-Noranda athlete is aiming to participate in the two road races, the individual time trial and the road race. In the absence of a time frame where the best Canadians could measure themselves between now and the end of the qualification process on May 31, she would like to get the green light sooner.

“I find it really frustrating because there are lots of things I would like to do on my time trial bike,” Baril said in a recent interview. If I knew I was selected, I would go and test the clothes and equipment. »

To improve her aerodynamics, she would like to carry out tests at the Taffala velodrome, near her residence in San Sebastian, in the Spanish Basque Country, and the office of Movistar, her professional training. After a successful first experience last year, she would also like to return to the wind tunnel at Silverstone, in the United Kingdom.

Olivia Baril, who takes part in the Vuelta which began on Sunday in Valencia, was not recognized for her prowess in the solo effort before distinguishing herself on a few occasions last year. Her main achievement is undoubtedly her seventh place in the final time trial of the Tour de France, where she tied with some of the first 10 overall. A silver medalist at the Canadian Championships a month earlier, she was surprised by triathlete Paula Findlay. “I had traveled the day before after the Tour de Suisse, I really didn’t do a time trial that I normally do,” she defended herself.

On a more technical course at the World Championships in Scotland, Baril (19^e) took his revenge and “took 30 seconds” to Findlay (25^e). In any case, the one who experienced a nightmare by finishing last in the triathlon at the 2012 Olympics will not be considered for the Olympics since she does not participate in road races.

Even if the women’s peloton has swelled by a third to reach parity with that of the men (90), Canada will be limited to two runners for the road in Paris, rather than three as in Tokyo.

As much as for the time trial, Baril promises to be essential as team leader (team leader in English), even if she admits to taking nothing for granted with her national federation: “You can never trust them too much. »

Who else ?

The second chosen may be more complex to determine for the selectors, who must take into account the nomination policy, performances in the previous 12 months and the Parisian course comparable to that of a classic.

Alison Jackson, the only cyclist still active who was in Tokyo in 2021, struck a major blow by winning Paris-Roubaix in the spring of 2023. This major victory, however, came less than a month before the start of the period in question. Since then, the Canadian champion has remained discreet, particularly in events considered decisive by selection policy.

Simone Boilard emerges as the other candidate of choice. “I think I would have my place in the Olympics, especially since I discover by doing more one-day races that it represents my profile more,” reacted the cyclist from Quebec cautiously.

In his eyes, the selection of Baril is “quite certain”. She also mentions Jackson’s name: “She won Paris-Roubaix, and I haven’t won a big race like that in my career. »

The 23-year-old athlete still raised his arms at the Oetingen Grand Prix, in Belgium, after an attack 36 kilometers from the finish. This victory in a 1.1 event, the second category after the World Tour, earned her a glass of local beer which she drank in one gulp with Olympian fluidity on the podium.

“To be honest, I don’t want to think about it and then be disappointed. I have heard stories of athletes disappointed not to go to the Olympics. I’m only 23, but I’ve had my share of disappointments. I don’t want to hold on to that. I try to see it the other way, telling myself that it would be such a nice surprise! »

Maggie Coles-Lyster is a Canadian who stood out despite a more limited road schedule: 10^e of Ghent-Wevelgem, 26^e of the Tour of Flanders and 5^e of the first stage of the UAE Tour, three World Tour level events. The 25-year-old British Columbian is part of the track pursuit team, which does not exclude her participation in the road race, as she did at the last Worlds.

The Athens Olympics in 2004 were the last where two Quebec road racers represented Canada. Lyne Bessette had fallen, while Manon Jutras had ranked 30^e.