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 brought her to Whistler, where she will experience an unexpected and enriching adventure this week.
Gabrielle Simoneau has been in Whistler since Friday. In the paradise of skiers, the native of Stoneham will go mountain biking; she is taking part this week in the final event of the Crankworx World Tour, a series of international high-level 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.
The pro category is reserved for people who have really proven themselves. I would really have to prove myself a few more times to have a place in this category.
Gabrielle Simoneau
We understand that this is not an immediate objective. “Eventually, yes,” she says, however, on the phone. “Honestly, it 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 is not financially viable. »
PHOTO PROVIDED BY CRANKWORX SUMMER SERIES
Gabrielle Simoneau
A great experience above all
These reservations are a bit normal, considering that Gabrielle Simoneau did not expect in the least to race in Whistler one of these days; while a few Quebecers registered for the event, Gabrielle was invited.
In September 2022, the 24-year-old took part 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.
I had already made tracks like [celles du Crankworx], but I had never raced in it. I knew that I was able to go fast, to do well, but at the same time, you don’t control the performance of others. You only control your own, so I didn’t know the level of the other girls.
Gabrielle Simoneau
In the Air Downhill, she took second place behind a professional athlete. “That’s what she does for a living. I was not insulted [qu’elle me batte] ! “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 stage of the 2023 world tour, in the Open category.
So here we are.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY CRANKWORX SUMMER SERIES
Quebecer Gabrielle Simoneau is participating this week in Whistler in the final event of the Crankworx World Tour.
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 only learn from this, 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! »
More women
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. At 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 desk; 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 a chance. Me, it was really long. It didn’t bother me because I was motivated to demonstrate that I was able to do it too. »
The young woman evolved in this then mainly male world, facing sexism more often than not. Today, mountain biking is, to its delight, much more feminine, even more so in the many training centers.
“That, I’m really proud and happy to say,” 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 a [femme] On two [cyclistes]. 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 Gabrielle Simoneau’s life. 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. »
A second edition in Quebec
The Crankworx Summer Series Canada festival will return to Quebec City for four days of action at two venues (Empire 47 and Les Sentiers du Moulin), from 1er to September 4. The competitions are intended for athletes of all ages, whether professional or amateur. ” [L’année passée], it 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.
