His presence already seems so obvious, and not only because there will be an Under-20 title to be played for, this Saturday in Zurich (Switzerland), during the Elite World Championship. Marion Bunel, almost 20 years old, has completely succeeded in her first season in the professional peloton. “His selection was made over time”, indicates to DirectVelo Paul Brousse about the member of St-Michel-Mavic-Auber 93.
“I KNOW WHY I AM SELECTED”
As early as February, the national coach was impressed by her performance at the UAE Tour where she took 5th place in the WorldTour. And what followed did not disappoint. “I also really liked his attitude at the French Championship. She went on the attack, even if strategically it wasn’t the best thing to do. The intention was there. Then she had a great summer”. With a 17th place overall in the Tour de France and her overall victory in the Tour de l’Avenir where she won twice at the summit, at the Karellis and at the Finestre. And recently, she took 2nd place in the Tour de l’Ardèche. “I had some concerns when I spoke to her on the phone to find out how she was going to be able to complete the Tour de France, Tour de l’Avenir etc… We made a decision on a training strategy to still be in good shape three-four weeks after the Tour de l’Avenir”.
Make no mistake, Marion Bunel will not have as a priority mission to reach the podium among the Espoirs. While the French team looks good, they have been asked to be there to support the best Elite cards. “When we have great leaders like Evita (Muzic), Juliette (Labous), Cédrine (Kerbaol) and Pauline (Ferrand-Prévot), we are not going to say “we come to make a podium in Hopes”. It was clear from the start, chasing two hares at once is never good and personally, I am against having two titles at stake in the same race”, confides Paul Brousse. “I know why I was selected. It’s the Elite race above all”assure Marion Bunel.
“IT’S MY DREAM”
But after having done her share of work, Marion Bunel could be called upon to play something if the circumstances lend themselves to it. “Maybe subconsciously I would keep an eye on it but I’m focused on the Elite race. Becoming U23 World Champion would be incredible but in the team there are Evita and Juliette who can bring home a jersey for the team. I want to get deeply involved in this”she insists.
Normandy has been thinking about the race for the rainbow for a long time. “When I was very little, I told my grandparents that I wanted to be World Champion. But today I don’t want to be the pretentious girl who says she will be World Champion, but it’s my dream”she smiled. And being in Zurich is a first step to achieving it. “It happened faster than expected. I see it as an opportunity to gain experience”. Before other World Championships that are expected to be very difficult, like next year’s in Rwanda. A very good thing for her.
