Interview Clara Emond

She used to hate climbing but now it is the thing that she loves the most. Clara Emond made this year the step-up to Arkea-Samsic. Already in February she debuted strong with the team when she finished runner-up in the Vuelta Extremadura and This Sunday she'll make her World Tour race debut in Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The 26 years old resides now in Girona and is working there on her cycling carreer. A conversation about discovering the sport, moving to ther other side of the world and personal development. Get to know the Canadian who you might see come more & more to the front when the roads go uphill.

 

It's your second year in the international peloton now. How did you look back at your first year?

Last year was a discovering year, as bike racing was completely new for me. I took part in my first UCI races, tried to learn how to navigate in a bunch (still managing this), acquiring bike skills and all. I only took part in very few races but it was enough to convince me to pursue cycling for the present year and for upcoming years, I hope. Do to my very little experience, ,I consider that this year is in fact my first one in peloton and I am looking forward and so exciteed to learn more.

This year you finished 2nd in the Vuelta Extremadura with only your team mate ahead of you. How did you put yourself on a higher level this Winter?

When I decided to focus on cycling this year, I certainly increased my bike milage compared to what I used to do. My fitness probably improved as well, but I think the main point is that I felt gained more experience from racing and therefor was able to save more energy for the final.

You showed yourself mainly as a climber so far. What are your ambitions in these kind of races?

I for sure love climbing but I remember that when I started to ride my bike, I used to hate climbing and was getting dropped during group rides when we were would go uphill. There fore, I forced myself to climbs every ride and to work on it. So, I am convinced that I am amble to improve other weaknesses I may have at the moment to become a better and well-rounded cyclist.

Which races are on your program this season?

My next race will be Liège-Bastogne-Liège this weekend, which I am very excited for. I think it will be a great experience and that whatever the result is, I will learn a lot from it. Ater that, I will be heading to the Pyrenees and then Switzerland to do my first stage races.

 

You're one of the many cyclists in Girona now. What makes this place ideal for cyclists in your opinion?

Coming from Canada, I mean almost any place in Europe can beat the weather we have back home. But among all places, I feel like Girona is very special because it offers so many choices of rides. There are so many roads to explore. The town is amazing with all of its little shops, restaurants, cafes and all. And the architecture is just beautiful.

How did you get into cycling?

If you would have told me I would be riding for a professional team, or just bike racing at all two years ago I would have laughed. I used to be more into winter sports, doing alpine skiing competition and then when I got to university I quit skiing in order to focus more on my studies in order to become a lawyer. I still wanted to keep doing sports so i started running and doing cross-country which later led me into triathlon. There, I met my boyfriend who is a professional triathlete and he got me to ride more and more my bike. Eventually I was able to go with him on longer ride and it allowed us to travel, discover places and spend quality Time together. This is mainly How I felt in love with cycling. Then, during the COVID pandemic, all triathlons were cancelled so my boyfriend had the idea that we participate into a local race near my hometown. I did quit good for a first timer but most of all I loved it. And then everything went si fast. A Canadian UCI team asked me to sign for them for 2022 and then I got into arkea.

 

Which advice would you give to other Canadian cyclists who would like to race in Europe?

I would say that coming from Canada It can be more challenging because bike racing is literally in Europe. So to take advantage of any opportunities to do small races on europe or to ride for clubs and to not be scared from going abroad

 

 

 

What is your opinion on safety in the peloton? Do you often see unsafe situations due to dangerous riders or parcours?

I think some riders take high risks that are not worth it and forget that at thé end of the day Its only a bike race