Junior World Champion in 2023, Julie Bego was eagerly awaited this year for her professional debut. The Cofidis member responded by obtaining results throughout the season (see its DirectVelo file). The 19-year-old Savoyard, who will begin her cyclo-cross season this weekend, returns for DirectVelo on its 2024 financial year and discusses the points that it intends to work on in training to reach a new milestone.
DirectVelo: What is your assessment of your 2024 season?
Julie Bego: For a first professional season, it wasn't too bad even if I have some regrets. Tactically, I made a lot of mistakes in certain races but it allowed me to learn and not make them again later. I learned to be more patient. Coming out of the Junior ranks, I tended to always attack and do a lot but the level is higher in the pros, and if I do too much at the start, I'm not there at the end. I had to learn to save more. Among the regrets, there is the Giro where, ill, I had to abandon. It was obviously a little disappointment because I wanted to do well for my first Grand Tour.
“I COULD NOT CHOOSE”
For a first year pro, you did quite a bit during the spring.
I did a little too much shopping at one point. I followed the Grésivaudan, the Tour of Catalonia, the Tour of the Pyrenees and the French Championship time trial then road. I wasn't scheduled for Catalonia and so I was offered to take on the Pyrenees but I really wanted to do this race. I also wanted to do the France chrono because there aren't many time trials in the season, it's always interesting to do them and it was a great experience. But I couldn't choose between all these races. If I had to do it again, I would make more choices.
You finished the season very well in Italy…
I took a break after the Giro where I was sick. At the Tour de l'Avenir, I felt that I was not yet in the rhythm. I had just started again after doing a lot of endurance. But behind it, I felt good at the Tour de Romandie and then I got better and better as the races went on. I finished well in Italy. On the last race, the Trois Vallées Varésines, with the bad weather, a lot of girls wanted it to be canceled but I absolutely wanted it to take place (smile). I prefer rain to heat. Of course the rain can make things dangerous but the way the race was done it was very good. I was happy to have been able to express myself in this race, to have been able to try things and there was a good place at the finish (5th, Editor's note). I was able to end the season on a good note.
Now do you know more about things you can improve?
Yes, I know in particular the points that I need to work on in training. I have a lot of room for improvement compared to bodybuilding, because I've never done it. I also know that I move a lot on the bike, I will try to do it less to have better power transfer. I have to progress everywhere. My big strength is being able to do ten-minute efforts at the threshold. You always have to work on your strengths, it's important. What I missed this season on a physical level is the fact that it starts very strong in the moguls. I have a lot of trouble with this because I climb hills on a regular basis. Sometimes I was let go, so I was no longer in the spirit and I had to make an effort to come back. I'll work on that.
“KEEP WORKING EVERYTHING”
You attended the presentation of the Tour de France 2025 which will arrive and then leave from Chambéry…
It's at home so obviously it makes you want it. We will have to see that with the team but I would like to do the Tour next year and perform there.
Between one-day races or stage races, do you have a preference?
Everything attracts me, whether it's the Ardennes or the Grand Tours. I'm young, I have to continue to work on everything. Of course, I work on certain things more in training than others but I try to develop everything globally because we see that everything is important. For example, you have to know how to sprint if you arrive in a small group. You have to develop all your qualities to have a complete profile and later be with the best.
What will your cyclocross season look like?
I will be at Pierric this weekend. This will be my first cyclo-cross of the winter. I will also be in Troyes two weeks later. Why not go to Besançon at the end of December if I am selected, that would allow me to discover a World Cup round. I will also go to the French Championship and some regional cyclo-cross events. It's always interesting to do cyclo-cross for the intensity, otherwise the winter is really long. Physically, it does me a lot of good. Each cyclo-cross season makes me progress and reach a physical milestone, there are explosive efforts that you don't find on the road. I also need it for my head, it's good for motivation to have short-term goals.
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