Lucie Elizalde, 16, wins the title of French cyclo-cross champion

EShe has been Cycling since she was 5 years old. A passion that was passed on to him by his father. This Saturday, January 11, Lucie Elizalde, 16 years old, became French cyclo-cross champion in the U17 (younger) category, in Pontchâteau (Loire-Atlantique).

Christophe Boy is the president of Jurançon Cyclisme Compétition (JCC) where Lucie is licensed: “She has been at the club since she was 10,” he recalls. She already had predispositions and performed well. And since she was in the cadet category, she has been on the podiums! This year, she had already won the regional championship and the French Cup. In everything she touches, she performs. »

“I haven’t realized yet! »

Because the young athlete also stands out in mountain biking – she is a regional champion – as well as in road racing. In these two other disciplines, she is in the French top 10. A pride for his club which only has around twenty licensees, including only two young people, Lucie and Matéo Moncassin, himself a U17 departmental cyclo-cross champion.

“Sud Ouest” received Lucie’s reaction at the end of the competition which she won on Saturday: “I’m very happy, but I haven’t realized it yet! she confides. I’ve been waiting for this for so long. »

She also says she is relieved, because the title could have escaped her: “At one point, I was caught by the 2nd competitor,” she explains. I was very stressed! But I remained confident: I got back into the race and I won,” she smiles. Where we perceive a strong mind despite his young age.

Since last year, Lucie, who lives in Agnos, has continued her studies in second grade at the Jules-Supervielle high school in Oloron under the status of a high-level athlete, with flexible schedules. “I finish early every day, and I don’t have study hours,” she summarizes. The weeks are busy, but it’s still easy to combine cycling and studies. »

Next year, she will move to the junior category and will probably have to choose between the different cycling disciplines where she excels. In terms of studies, she plans to take a scientific baccalaureate and is planning to study medicine.

What is cyclocross?

A hybrid discipline, cyclo-cross does not (yet?) enjoy much notoriety. “It combines cycling and running,” we learn from the French Cycling Federation. Cyclo-cross is practiced on varied circuits (asphalt, grass, sand, mud) and specially designed. All while using a suitable bike. This unique discipline mixes speed, agility and surpassing oneself. » Hence the spectacular images of runners carrying their bikes on their shoulders in muddy passages. “It’s a winter sport, the competitions take place between September and February,” explains the president of Jurançon Cyclisme Compétition, Christophe Boy. All the great cycling champions pass there, Van Aert, Van der Poel, etc. : this allows them to prepare for intensity, and keep their level in winter before starting the road season again. »