After a good start to the season, the next three months will be decisive for cyclist Simone Boilard, who can still hope to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games.
Even if she refuses to consider the possibility of becoming an Olympian, at least publicly, the 23-year-old Quebecer will be seriously considered in the selection process which will end on May 31.
As with the men, the women’s peloton will be limited to 90 athletes and Canada will only be able to field two women in both the time trial and the road race. For the moment, the reigning Paris-Roubaix champion, Alison Jackson, the Abitibienne Olivia Baril and Simone Boilard are possibly at the top of the list, but nothing is won for anyone.
“I believe that Simone has as much chance as the other two, Alison and Olivia,” says Louis Barbeau, general director of the Fédération québécoise des sports cyclists (FQSC).
A great momentum
Originally from Quebec, Boilard prefers not to think about it too much for the moment. So far, she has managed to avoid health problems and falls.
“This is my best winter of training. I changed team, method and preparation. So far, I feel really better. I’m taking advantage of it because it’s the first year that this has happened to me,” explains the cyclist who is now aligned with the Norwegian training Uno-X Mobility.
Last year, the cyclist had her best moments at the end of the season, between August and October, notably with a great victory in Belgium. From the restart, in January 2024, she came close to the podium in Spain, with another top ten the next day during a victory for her Canadian compatriot Magdeleine Vallières.
“The great races are starting for me and it’s exciting. We can have great opportunities. I plan to be at the top of my form in April,” says Boilard, citing in passing his upcoming program on prestigious events such as Strade Bianche, Ghent-Wevelgem, the Tour of Flanders, Amstel Gold and the Flèche wallonne.
Barring injury, Olivia Baril is expected to be selected for the Games after putting in the best performance in the elite individual time trial at the 2023 Road World Championships (19e).
Wordup.no / Photo provided by the Uno-X Mobility team
Under the magnifying glass
For her part, Alison Jackson, 35, is not guaranteed a place. Despite his Olympic experience in Tokyo, his incredible victory at Paris-Roubaix in 2023 came too soon before the process began. She is probably the best sprinter in the group, but she climbs less well. For her part, Simone excels on all terrains and her start to the season seems better. The next three months will be of capital importance and one of them will experience a disappointment.
“In my head, right now, I’m not going there. Olivia and Alison are the two headliners. I’m not thinking about the Olympics and I don’t want to disappoint myself with that. There are some great races for me that I want to discover this season. If I go to the Games, it will be a nice surprise,” concludes Simone Boilard.
Starting Saturday, March 2, the three Canadians will be ready to do battle in three different teams during the Strade Bianche, an Italian event 137 kilometers long.