Marlène Petitgirard did not do poorly this weekend. For her first in the Coupe de France this season, she took 10th place on Saturday, before finishing just off the podium on Sunday, in Troyes (see ranking). “Departures are difficult. Against the youngest, it’s hard”smiles next to DirectVelo the experienced 36-year-old athlete. “Then I take my pace and climb back up nicely. 4th is good”. Sunday's much smoother course suited his qualities better than that of the day before, which was very muddy with many parts on foot. “I also had the release from yesterday (Saturday) in my legs. Whereas yesterday… I wasn't able to ride on Friday, I was at work and I went on the road. So it was hard (Saturday) but it freed me up for the second round”.
For the member of VC Ornans, it’s Système-D throughout the season. Between work and travel, Marlène Petitgirard tries to find the best combinations, and it's not always easy. “I arrived here with the engine a little dirty”, she jokes again, modest and aware of her limits. “I'm not too bad but I still need a little training to be better. I hope to still have a little room for improvement”. And days of high-level competition. But it's difficult to do otherwise. “I have been trying to take UCI points over the last few weeks. Switzerland is very close to us. I'm banking on these trips.” Hence its absence on previous Coupe de France weekends. “Pierric, it was complicated, it would have been necessary to leave on Friday but at the moment, I am counting my vacation days”.
Therefore, it should not be present during the last weekend of the Coupe de France, December 14 and 15 at Ferté-Bernard (Sarthe). “I think it’s going to be complicated, it would still be a big trip”. For the same reason, she will not compete in Belgium. “I don’t have much planned, actually. I'm taking it week by week, seeing what it's possible to do”. Or not. In fact, even the World Cup round in Besançon remains marked with a question mark on its calendar. “On the other hand, if I have this form, I will be good at the French Championship”. One thing is certain: Marlène Petitgirard will have had a solid weekend, despite the circumstances and the little time she can devote to the discipline. “The form is there, I’m happy. I'm taking something positive from this weekend, I had fun and that's the main thing”.
France
Cycling
