Crowned with twelve titles of champion of France (seven in mountain biking and five in cyclo-cross, his “heart discipline”), five world titles European champion and of four rainbow jerseys off the roof of the world, mountain biker Laurence Leboucher says she is “spoiled” by life.
“If I had been told all this when I started in 1989, I would not have believed it. It is a dream ! », smiles native of Alençon (Orne), now aged 52.
Tom Thumb in Barcelona, 1992
In this fine list, however, one is missing. Olympic medal. ” It’s fate ! We cannot redo history. And there are more serious things in life,” says the woman who has experienced five Olympic Games.
In 1992, in Barcelona, she was just 20 years old when she was selected “for the road”. But Jeannie Longo finally lines up on the track and on the road. “I had a year of competition in my legs and I was the little thumb in the Elite category! “, reframes the one who discovered cycling at 17 years old “through FSGT brevets on Sunday morning with a friend whose father had invited me to motivate his daughter! »
Laurence Leboucher nevertheless took part in the parade of nations “with Forget, Lecomte, etc. ” And “before the Queen of England, François Mitterrand…”
“It was a special moment,” remembers the one who wanted to ride a bike, “watching the Tour de France and Bernard Hinault neck and neck with Greg LeMond at the top of Alpe d’Huez.”
“A crazy start in Atlanta, in 1996”
She remembers from Barcelona, “the Olympic village by the sea, it was great! And since I wasn’t running, I was free to enjoy! It remains a great life experience for me, even if I had trained well. I was ready until the day before, but I wasn’t on the start list. And Jeannie Longo was 2nd…”,
In 1996 in Atlanta, it is selected in Cross-country mountain biking, this time. “I liked cycling, but mountain biking, which I discovered by chance, suited my abilities more. »
At the 96 Olympics, she had “a crazy start… and I exploded right after!” The humidity was enormous, it was 30°, I couldn’t handle these weather conditions. I was disgusted, I wanted to go home that same evening. »
It is Paola Pezzo, its Italian rival, who won the first Olympic title of this MTB-cross country discipline. Laurence Leboucher finishes 11th.
Mechanical trouble in Athens in 2004
In 2000, in Sydney, she lines up at the start after her victory at Europe championship. “I won it in front of Paola Pezzo. I had aligned my Olympic race with her, during this event. I had the physical potential to win in Sydney.”
But after thirty seconds of racing, Laurence Leboucher ended up on the ground. “The Olympics were over after 30 seconds! », she rages again. Paola Pezzo re-signs an Olympic victory. Laurence Leboucher finishes 18th.
In 2004, in Athens, the one who has experienced very few mechanical problems in her entire career, suffered one head-on: “The stop of my derailleur had been poorly adjusted, my chain passed between the spokes. I couldn’t manage anything anymore! » She nevertheless obtained her best place: 8th.
“I was roasted in Beijing”
In 2008, in Beijing, “I was roasted, it was a disaster! » She finished 17th.
“It really irritated me a lot in reality, because you train for this and it doesn’t smile on the big day. Moral: you have to appreciate the days when it smiles,” confides Laurence Leboucher.
An Olympic medal would have completed what I was able to do for 20 years, but I still experienced exceptional things. One more or one less, at the end of life, it’s the same!
She prefers to focus on the emotions experienced in situ. “They are the ones who stay in the end. The medals are stored at the bottom of a box, the memories live with me. This is what you shared with your family, your staff which remains anchored. Like when you cross the finish line, all the work you did before comes back. »
“You live them 100%, without pressure”
The Beijing Olympics were his last. As an athlete. Because Laurence Leboucher had already doubled her Olympic presence in 2000. “In Sydney, I ran and the next day, I was a consultant for France Télévisions, with Jean-René Godard. I brought my technical insight. I commented on the victory of Frenchman Miguel Martinez in men’s cross-country mountain biking that year. Then France TV called me back…”
She then commented on Julien Absalon’s victories in Athens and Beijing. Then that of Julie Bresset in London in 2012.
Every time I commented on the Olympics with Jean-René Godard, France had an Olympic title in cross-country mountain biking! And even three in Sydney! But in 2016 in Rio, with Pierre-Etienne Léonard, we got nothing!
This experience is also synonymous with good memories: “It’s super nice because you experience the event 100% without pressure! You have all the images, you don’t miss anything and you experience all the key moments and all the emotions! »
“Everyone wants to win that day”
Today, the Sarthoise from Saint-Léonard-des-Bois, near Alençon, admits to getting back into the game in front of his TV. “I watch major events and I’m tense in front of my screen! The mental aspect of these races is interesting,” she smiles.
How is one Olympic race different from another? “She argues on D-Day. There is no management. Everyone wants to win that day, it’s the title that matters! It’s very different from a stage race. »
Will she go to those in Paris this summer? “No, not professionally, I am retired from sport! »
But the fifty-year-old will nevertheless leave her mark, once again. As the bearer of the flame this time.
I had not applied to carry the flame because I felt that I had already experienced the Games and I did not want to take the place of those who did not have this experience.
But the Normandy regional cycling committee contacted her. “I started my career under their colors, until 2000. I experienced two Olympics with them and I joined the Pays de la Loire committee. But the Normandy committee thought of me this year to represent regional cycling, that makes me very happy, I’m flattered, so I accepted and it was validated. »
At Mont-Saint-Michel, May 31 by bike
On May 31, she will meet at Mont-Saint-Michel to carry this Olympic flame for Paris 2024. “With Guillaume Martin [cycliste professionnel d’Athis-de-l’Orne, ndlr] At the head of the gondola, we will send the collective cycling relay from the Porte du Mont-Saint-Michel to the continent. Just before our relay, there will be runners who will bring the flame from the abbey down to the gate of the Mont and that’s where we’ll take over by bike for 5 km…” enthuses the former champion who very early on sent her measurements “for the outfit”. Another memory to put in your archives.
“Two hours drive from my house…”
A few days before the opening of the Paris Olympics, Laurence Leboucher nevertheless has a little pang in her heart: she did not get a ticket to attend the mountain bike Olympics.
I heard they were the best-selling, but I’ve never seen them on sale! The events take place in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, a two-hour drive from my home, I have never been so close. It’s a shame…
“So that will be the only ticket that I will miss at the Olympics: that of a spectator,” laughs the former athlete and consultant, bearer of the flame in 2024.
With such a call from the heart of the one who was also vice-president of the French cycling federation (from 2009 to 2017), who says that the die (to attend) is done?
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