Interview Julie Bego (EN)

 Interview Julie Bego

Last year, she became junior worldchampion. This year, she's already sprinting for podium spots in the elite category. Julie Bego is one of the big talents to watch this season and she's not afraid to even challenge herself in the biggest races on the calendar. At the age of 19, she wants to gain a lot of new experiences. The young futur engineer is curious about many things in and outside the sport and lets you get to know her better through this interview.

You already finished fourth between some of the best riders in the World. How did you experience racing in the elite peloton?

I was statisfied to finish 4^th in Trofeo Oro even that I made some mistakes like attacking too early on the hill and launching the sprint too early before the finish but in general it was a good race. At the start of the season, I didn't have a lot of luck. I was involved in a crash at the Vuelta CV and when I was in a goood breakaway in the Setmana Valencia, I was ill.

That said, I feel that I made progress and that I reached a higher physical level in comparing with the previous years. This year, I have a program where I will sometimes be able to discover big races like Strade Bianche, last Saturday and do some smaller races like Trofeo Oro, where it's easier to show myself. For now, I see that World Tour races are really more difficult. The level is higher. I also struggle more technically to secure my place in the peloton for example. But it's a good thing to be able to gain experience on this courses in my first year as a pro.

Last year, you became Worldchampion in the juniors category. How was this day for you?

This day remains a unique and unforgetable memory. It was very special because I thought about worldchampionships for a long time. It was really my goal for the season. The atmosphere in the team was really incredible. We really got along well together. We were laughing a lot and apart from the world title, I also had many other beautiful memories about this Worlds.

What are your ambitions in the sport?

My dream is to win the Tour de France and the Olympic Games. But there is still a long road to it.

Are there cyclists or other people that have inspired you to do sports?

When I was little, my favourite athlete was Usain Bolt. At the track, it looked all very easy but when I saw the documentary about the end of his career, I saw him training and I understood that training is very hard. When I was little, I was doing sprints in the garden to imitate him.

In which races will you take part this year?

Normally, I will discover the Ardennes classics this year. After that I will do some stage races and the French championships. I don't know yet if I will do a grand tour or not. That depends on my level. I also would like to do the Tour de l'Avenir with the French national team.

What are your interests outside cycling?

I like science very much and I do my studies on the Engineer School of Polytech Chambérè. I also like to read and to walk in the mountains.

Are there things/rituals that you do ahead of every race?

No, I don't have a ritual because I don't like that. Even for the warming-up before the time trial for example and I don't like to follow a strict protocol. I prefer to do it by how I feel on that day.

This Winter, you also took part in cyclocross. Do you also have ambitions in this discipline?

This Winter, I have only done cyclocross in my region to not get too tired by long travel and to prepare myself well for road cycling. I always loved to do cyclocross. That helped me to make progression and and to take part in comepetitions in the Winter period. Next year, I would like to try to qualify myself for the Worldchampionships in France, who will be in Lièvin on a parcours that I know well. But it will depend on my level. If I'm not with the best U23 riders, I think that I will focus more on the road.