Nothing is lost by trying, they say. Gabrielle Simoneau had no idea what to expect last year when she took part in the first Quebec edition of the Crankworx Summer Series Canada. Her performances finally led her to Whistler, where she will experience an unexpected and rewarding adventure this week.
Gabrielle Simoneau has been in Whistler since Friday. In skier’s paradise, the Stoneham native will mountain bike; she is taking part this week in the final event of the Crankworx World Tour, a series of high-level international mountain biking events.
She will be in action this Tuesday for the Air Downhill event and Thursday for the Dual Slalom event in the Open category. The first is a race in a jump track. The second is a one-on-one elimination race.
In the event that things go well in this category, the Quebecer could see doors open in front of her. She could, for example, be invited in the professional category.
We understand that this is not an immediate objective. “Eventually, yes,” she says, however, on the phone. “Honestly, that would take a lot of practice. Currently, I have no sponsors. I come here at my expense. »
“If I ever decide to do a full season, to try myself, I would have to have support because it’s not financially viable. »
These reservations are somewhat normal, considering Gabrielle Simoneau was not in the least expecting to race in Whistler one of these days; if a few Quebecers registered for the event, Gabrielle was invited.
In September 2022, the 24-year-old participated in the first Quebec version of the Crankworx Summer Series. She signed up for the Air Downhill and Dual Slalom events, with no expectations. A cycling enthusiast for a few years, she had already done a few competitions of different kinds over the years: cross-country, enduro, etc. But always for fun.
In the Air Downhill, she took second place behind a professional athlete. “That’s what she does for a living. I was not insulted [that she beat me]! “laughs the Quebecer.
In Dual Slalom, she finished third. The organization then announced to her that by virtue of her results, she had been selected to take part in the last leg of the 2023 world tour, in the Open category.
So here we are.
In Whistler, “the pool of runners is much denser,” explains Simoneau. Like last year in Quebec, therefore, it does not set specific objectives.
“It’s really a great experience. I can just learn from that, I have nothing to lose by going to test myself, comparing myself to professionals, or at least to girls who really do that for a living. Maybe I can surprise myself! »
Gabrielle Simoneau may be new to the world of international competition, but she is not to cycling. She got into it at the end of her high school years. In Cégep, she found her first job in a bike shop in Quebec. She was one of the few women there among the fifty or so employees.
“There were a few girls working at the cash register; I was the first adviser, she says. It really took some work to get them to agree to let me sell bikes and accessories. »
“There were men who had as little knowledge as me and they were given their chance. For me, it was really long. I didn’t mind because I was motivated to demonstrate that I was able to do it too. »
“I’m really proud and happy to say that,” she says. I don’t know what the percentage is, but it’s much more even than it was. I would like to say that it is one [woman] out of two [cyclists]. There are many more women than there used to be! »
Women’s mountain biking groups, created across Quebec, have contributed to this growth, believes Simoneau. The latter has also been very involved in one of them, the Quebec Mountain Bike Girls.
Over the years, cycling has become more than a sport in the life of Gabrielle Simoneau. More than a hobby, even. It is necessary for his daily life, for his well-being. The Quebecer pedals without pressure or expectation, following the path that is drawn in front of her.
“Cycling brings me so much happiness. I like running. I like to surpass myself. But I don’t want it to become a task. »
The Crankworx Summer Series Canada festival returns to Quebec City for four days of action at two venues (Empire 47 and Les Sentiers du Moulin), September 1-4. The competitions are intended for athletes of all ages, whether professional or amateur. “[Last year] was the best weekend of my summer! exclaims Gabrielle Simoneau. […] The community in Quebec is really tight; there are so many spectators who came to see, who encouraged us. » Registration for the Quebec version is currently open.
