Interview Grace Brown
There is no rider in the peloton who takes more beautiful victories then Grace Brown. Her impressive solo attacks often add flavour to te finals with sometimes a sweet victory as an outcome. The 29 years old rider from Australia just finished her classics campaign and is preparing now for the grand tours and the worlds on home soil. She finished on the podium of the cobbles and Ardennes monuments and is ready to jump on the highest spot. Read more about Grace Brown, her experiences, her dreams and her feeling in this interview.
You finished another succesful Spring campaign, how do you look back yourself at the first part of the season?
I'm happy with my Spring. I think at the start I was in really good form and expected more results to come, but in the end I realised I needed to get back my fighting mentality. I was really happy to race like that at Liege and be rewarded with 2nd there to finish my spring.
You're known for your long impressive solo efforts. What goes through your mind when you ride alone for such a long time? Do you overthink a lot or do you try to empty your mind and focus completely on what is in front of you?
At first I always think, "oh no, I'm on my own again!" And then I know I have to commit and I start thinking more about the process. I count the kilometres and always look what the fastest line is on the road. I think to stay aero and try to keep a good rhythm, but sometimes when it's a long day I'm super uncomfortable in this position and have to keep reminding myself!
Your whole team has set a big step forward this year. How did you celebrate the victories together?
Yes, it's been a big time of growth for FDJ! I wasn't there for Marta's victories, but the whole team celebrates on messages together. At the race it's really nice that the teammates stay for the podium and cheer. Not many teams do this! Unfortunately afterwards we often have to travel home from the race, but if not maybe we share a glass of champagne.
You seem to be suitable for both the Flemish & Ardennes classics. Which races suit you the most in your opinion?
It's hard to say... I think when you are a top rider it's easier to get a good result in the Ardennes classics because the climbs make them more attritional and you just need good climbing legs. But the Flemish races you have to be more strategic, be good on the cobbles and on the climbs. The races are less predictable, so it's less likely to be consistently good there. So maybe I'm more likely to get good results at the Ardennes, but I have the potential to win more in the Flemish race
The worlds will be in your homecountry Australia this year. What are your ambitions on home soil?
My ambition is to be World Champion on home soil! Of course that is easier said than done, but I'm hoping to be a real contender there. I'm also fortunate that the RR course is well suited to my characteristics. I should also race the time trial, which will be an equally big goal.
How does the second part of your season look like and what will your role be for the team in those races?
I go to some races in France and Spain next. Then I will target the Women's Tour of Britain and Tour de France. At the Tour I might be able to try for some stage wins and then I will help my teammates in the mountains. I'm not sure what my schedule will be between the Tour and World Championships.
You're in the middle of your carreer now, what do you see as the highlight of your carreer so far?
I find it hard to choose a highlight, but my first 2nd at Liege in 2020, my win at De Panne 2021, 3rd at Flanders 2021, and 4th at the Olympic TT all stand out.
What can we wish Grace Brown in the coming years?
hope to keep racing aggressively at the top of the sport and share some big results with my team. I hope to keep learning, improving and enjoying this amazing job.
