Hélène Clauzel took advantage of the Hulst/Zonhoven weekend to regain confidence, but also gain a few places in the rankings. With her two 13th places, she achieved her two best results this season, in the World Cup. “I was really happy that my legs were back, I felt really good”she rejoices at the arrival this Sunday of the Belgian round. After a good start, the Van Rysel CX Racing rider even entered the Top 10 for a while. “I was coming back well”. But a mistake stopped her in her tracks. “At one point François (Trarieux) told me to stay focused, and in the sand, on the descent, I took a rut which sent me into a hole and my feet were at the level of the head”.
She laughs about it afterwards, but at the time, Hélène Clauzel was quite frightened. “I was having trouble breathing, then I came to my senses, I calmed down and I left. I was up like a cuckoo”. And it's not the sand that can stop her, although she isn't the most comfortable compared to the girls in front of her. “They are very strong girls in the sand, I tried to work on it a little more. Before I never did it. I went to Sardinia and I was able to work on it too, I don't know if that helped me but surely I’m getting better and better at it.”. Ultimately, the 26-year-old runner has to settle for a place outside the Top 10 but sees the essential elsewhere (see ranking). “I know the legs are there, I had the Top 8 in my legs. That’s what I’m going to remember”.
In addition, accompanied by her compatriots Célia Gery and Amandine Fouquenet, Hélène Clauzel offered herself an honorary status by finishing first in the Bleues. “I won the French matchshe laughs. It was funny to find the three of us at the end of the race, but it heralds a great French Championship.”. A French Championship that is both far and near, but where Hélène Clauzel intends to be in even better form. As has been the case since the start of winter, where it continues to gain strength. “For a few weeks my legs have been coming back, I know it will be fine for the future. I needed a little more time with the trip to the United States, I had difficulty getting over it but we knew that It could be complicated, but I have confidence in myself, it’s going to be okay.”.
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