R&M Specials: Audrey Cordon-Ragot

SPECIALS r&m

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By Diego Martin

AUDREY

CORDON-RAGOT SUPER-DOMESTIQUE AND MEDIUM LEVEL LEADER CORE WIGGLE-HIGH5 ASSET - CAREER START: VIENE FUTUROSCOPE - WOMEN›S CYCLING IN FRANCE CAREER BREAKTHROUGH: HITEC PRODUCTS -

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orn in Pontivy (Morbihan), France in September 1989 Audrey Cordon-Ragot is one of the core Wiggle High5 assets. Her dedicated and sacrificed attitude, her closeness with the cycling fans, her frankness in sharing her own views have made her one of the most recognisable riders of the international peloton, despite sometimes being incomprehensibly confused with her teammate and friend Elisa Longo Borghini.

Audrey Cordon-Ragot is a key Wiggle High5 rider to whom the domestique label falls short. “I consider myself a high level domestique and a medium level leader. I love the classics (Flandriennes and Ardenaises), stage races and time trials (team).” Audrey said.

A medium level leader, in her own words, that has been able to score some personal great performances claiming twice National ITT Champion, twice winner of GP Cholet, winner of GP Plumelec as well as overall winner of Tour de Bretagne.

“I think my best one has been my first National TT title, I was second for so many years that it was almost becoming a nightmare, the first one was a deliverance.”

Cordon-Ragot said.

I was 2nd for so many years that it was almost becoming a nightmare, the first one was a deliverance.

But as a super-domestique Audrey has been in charge of facilitating others to achieve top results such as on behalf of her teammate and friend Elisa Longo Borghini or on behalf of her compatriot Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, who she helped to become World Champion in Ponferrada 2014. “I think Elisa’s victory in Strade Bianche this year has been my biggest achievement as a teammate” Cordon-Ragot said.

But her focus doesn’t lay exclusively on the road. Audrey Cordon-Ragot has competed both on the timber and on the mud, doing track cycling, MTB and cyclocross.

“I’ve been both trackie and roadie for a while, until I realized that I had better options on the road to develop. I always thought that doing lot of disciplines helped me to be a better athlete in general. I use cyclocross and MTB as a winter preparation now and I will get a new covered track at home soon so why not considering to come back on the track before the end of my career.” Wiggle High5 rider said.

I think Elisa’s victory in Strade Bianche this year has been my biggest achievement as a teammate.

Her experience on the track and her cycling conditions set her as a possible contender for the UCI Hour Record. Instead of discouraging the idea, Audrey embraces the challenge: “I’ve already think about it. Maybe I would first think about attempting the French Record and see…

It’s a good challenge” the 27-year-old French rider said.

During winter, Audrey makes the most of her time disconnecting from her in-season routine, practicing other cycling disciplines and sports that she also enjoys.

“Mentally I need to break with the cycling world for a bit, the season is so demanding in terms of focusing, stressing… So, it’s important to recover first before starting to train again.” Cordon-Ragot said.

“I start endurance training with some runs, I actually competed in some 10-kilometre competitions. On the side of it, I rode my mountain bike quite a lot at the same time as my cross bike on several cyclocross races in Bretagne.”

“I chose not to go to the gym this winter because I did a lot the past years and I felt my body needed a rest away from raising

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AUDREY CORDON-RAGOT

weight. I just kept doing some core sessions to prevent injuries.” Wiggle High5 rider said.

O

lympian twice (in Rio 2016 and in London 2012), Audrey Cordon-Ragot knows well how tough the road to the most coveted sports competition is. An Olympic qualification period that, in particular for Rio 2016, wasn’t free of doubts and difficult moments.

concluded.

Following the idea of paying it forward and in case of an eventual retirement, Audrey considers the idea of pursing an Sports Directors position. “I’ll definitely take the opportunity we have in France to go through DS studies as High Level athletes. This is a great possibility of reconversion we get and I think with the development of Women’s Cycling we’ll need more Sports Directors who know about it.”

Of course, I had some doubts because we were more than one to pretend to be selected, it was a war before the war.

“It was long and painful… I was 100% committed in getting selected but it’s really hard when you’re racing for such a big team to think about your proper stuff so I didn’t really have the results which show the form I had.”

“The French Federation believed in me and my preparation, they knew I was focused and I would do everything to be ready the “D day”. Of course, I had some doubts because we were more than one to pretend to be selected, it was a war before the war.” Wiggle High5 rider stated.

“I also have had some contact to be consultant on French TV, to comment some cycling races.” Cordon-Ragot concluded.

A fruitful cycling career for the French rider, in which however (when looking back and connecting all the dots) it is difficult to distinguish a moment or turning point in which Audrey may have thought: «This is what I want, I want to pursue a professional career in cycling».

“I don’t know, I just kept going and going,

The Olympics are the only opportunity to show our sport to the world, to people who don’t have any idea about women’s cycling.

A difficult road to reach the greatest reward and sports opportunity for many female athletes. “The Olympics are the only opportunity to show our sport to the world, to people who don’t have any idea about women’s cycling.”

“It’s also the most important competition as a high-level sportswoman, and even if I didn’t perform as I wanted I’m really proud of all the hard work I did to be there, it’s a course of the fighter.” Audrey

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I had a good team to start at the highest level and it comes naturally. When I finished my studies, it became more serious obviously, I always wanted to be as pro as I could and now I’m racing all over the world so…”

ROAD & MUD SPECIALS

Vienne Futuroscope

ITT Nationals Finisher Tour de l’Aude

5th ITT

10 ITT Nationals 10th Chrono Campeonis th

Career Start

2008

2009

9 ITT Nationals th

6th GP Cholet

2011

2010

GP Cholet

6th Tour de Bretagne 10th Gracia Orlova Team Switch

ITT Nationals

2 3rd

nd

Tour de Bretagne

2014 Wiggle High5

2013

GP Plumelec-Morbihan

Stage 4, Tour de Bretagne

ITT Nationals

2012

Hitec Products

Stage 5, Route de France

15th ITT OTL RR

Tour de Bretagne

2nd Team Switch

ITT Nationals 4th Jeux de la Francophonie 5th RR Nationals

GP Cholet

2017 2015 Wiggle Honda

OvhH - Tielt Winge

4 Route de France 5th GP Cholet 6th Chrono Campeonis 9th RR Nationals th

2016 GP Cholet

24th ITT 37th RR

ITT Nationals

ITT Nationals

RR Nationals

RR Nationals

4th TTT 5th GP Plumelec-Morbihan 5th La Classique Morbihan

5th ITT 6th GP Plumelec-Morbihan 10th Emakumeen Saria

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START: VIENNE FUTUROSCOPE n 2008 French rider Audrey Cordon-Ragot turned professional signing her first pro contract with French team Vienne Futuroscope (now FDJ - Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope).

My worst and at the same time the best one memory has been my first and only Tour de l’Aude in France.

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AUDREY CORDON-RAGOT

“I had to push so hard to sign in this team, I had some contacts with the girls and they helped me. I was young, I had no experience except Europeans and Worlds Championships as a junior and it was my dream to sign in the best French team. I was so proud, so excited but also really scared, I raced all the big races of the UCI calendar, I started to ride on the side of the best riders, looking at them with so much respect.” Cordon-Ragot said.

As for many riders, the transition to professional cycling is quite a shocking and tough period, with several highs and lows. “My worst and at the same time the best one memory has been my first and only Tour de l’Aude in France, such a hard-hilly race where I suffered so much until the last stage where they put me out of delays…I was so sad.” 27-year-old French rider said.

BREAKTHROUGH: HITEC PRODUCTS

A small-big team of the women’s peloton. Growing from the roots up Hitec Products is committed to furthering women’s cycling and Norwegian women’s cycling in particular.

“First of all because I didn’t talk English, the first days of the first training camp we had in Spain were more painful mentally than physically. I tried to skip riding next to some of my teammates who I couldn’t understand at all… And it was also the first time I was so much away from home and it was hard.” Cordon-Ragot said.

That Hitec Products of the 2014 season was an authentic goldmine, with a unique atmosphere around a very diverse roster including several riders that are leading the current women’s cycling scene. “Hitec was my second family, I learnt so much from the staff, the girls… I felt secure and I trust them 100%. The mix of all those characters, nationalities went so good and the results came naturally with.” Cordon-Ragot said.

I met fantastic people over this 2014 season who are now part of my close friends. And when you need to pick a team you always look at the riders you want to ride with.

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n 2014 Audrey Cordon-Ragot switched teams joining Norwegian team Hitec Products after six seasons racing for Vienne Futuroscope. That move was later proved as a major turning point in her cycling career. “It has definitely been the turning point of my career, I really challenged myself that year.” Cordon-Ragot said.

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For Audrey Cordon-Ragot, her season at Team Hitec Products was an opportunity as well to develop strong and long-lasting friendships. Some of those friends she met in 2014 continue riding by her side in her current trade team Wiggle High5, such as Elisa Longo Borghini or Julie Leth.

“I met fantastic people over this 2014 season who are now part of my close friends.

And when you need to pick a team you always look at the riders you want to ride

ROAD & MUD SPECIALS

with. I guess it’s easier to trust and to be committed 100% to a friend instead of someone you don’t know that well.”

PRESENT: WIGGLE-HIGH5

Wiggle-High5 is focused on showing and bringing the best of women’s cycling in front of the scene, to make it better.

having a larger and more international roster than other top international teams.

“The amazing thing is the pluri-nationalities and cultures we have; it brings such a good work and life atmosphere. Wiggle High5 makes a difference in the relation we have with and how we deal with sponsors and fans, it’s more professional on the media side I would say.” Wiggle High5 rider said.

“Wiggle-High5 is focused on showing and bringing the best of women’s cycling in front of the scene, to make it better.” Cordon-Ragot concluded.

After a remarkable season with Norwegian team Hitec Products, Audrey Cordon-Ragot got the meaningful opportunity to join Wiggle-High5 (then sponsored as Wiggle Honda), to continue stepping up her professional cycling career.

“I first talk with Giorgia during the 2014 Giro Rosa, it was the first time that a team proposed me money to ride my bike and I felt like finally I was considered as a pro athlete with a market value. Then it was for me the opportunity to follow Elisa and Chloe and to ride on the side of Giorgia, who I knew I could learn so much from.”

27-year-old French rider said.

It was the first time that a team proposed me money to ride my bike and I felt like finally I was considered as a pro athlete with a market value.

Not only Audrey did join one of the best teams but an especial one, as Wiggle-High5 has differentiated itself by steadily

After a really good start to the season, with Elisa Longo Borghini on a great form after winning Strade Bianche and being the previous leader of both the UCI WWT and UCI Ranking, the 27-year-old French rider looks ahead to the rest of the 2017 season: “I’m quite satisfied about this beginning, I’m now turning the head on my next goals: French Nationals, Giro Rosa and Worlds Championships.”

All I did, I did it with my heart and this is the rule you need to follow in any case.

This sport is a chance, we are leaving the dream...

When Audrey looks backwards connecting all the dots from her cycling career,there is no room for regret.

“I have no regrets. All I did, I did it with my heart and this is the rule you need to follow in any case. This sport is a chance, we are leaving the dream even if sometimes the conditions are hard, it’s painful, it’s doing sacrifices… All of this is part of the chance we have to be athletes.”

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AUDREY CORDON-RAGOT

In my opinion it was a core cycling nation for women’s cycling, it’s now a desert. as a result of some UCI reform changes.

WOMEN’S CYCLING IN FRANCE France has been a core cycling nation with a long tradition in women’s cycling, that has organized several important internationally ranked races including two former “Women’s Grand Tours”, Tour de l’Aude Cycliste Féminin and Grande Boucle Féminine Internationale. However recently we have witnessed that some races such as Tour de Bretagne, Route de France Féminine or le Trophée d’Or won’t be held in 2017. Since Audrey turned professional in 2008 French international calendar has shrunk from 46 racing days and 11 races to only 12 competition days and 7 races forecasted for 2017. Similarly, the number of French UCI Elite teams has been reduced from four teams in 2008 to only one during the past three seasons.

It’s a really good thing, which I hope will be followed by other French men teams in France.

In this decline in which French women’s cycling is plunged, French company FDJ has emerged sponsoring both La Course and FDJ - Nouvelle Aquitaine - Futuroscope, an important step forward. “It’s a really good thing, which I hope will be followed by other French men teams in France.” Audrey Cordon-Ragot said.

“In my opinion it was a core cycling nation for women’s cycling, it’s now a desert. Three races are cancelled this year.

When I started in 2008 I raced so much in France: GP Cholet, Tour de l’Aude, Tour du Limousin, Tour de Bretagne, Trophée d’Or, Route de France…”

But the situation regarding the number of UCI registered French teams is still worrying, with only one French team, FDJ - Nouvelle Aquitaine - Futuroscope, registered under the highest UCI Women’s Cycling category.

“It’s a really big issue for the future French generation. How can you grow up without those races? They’ve all been part of my development, without it I would not be there.” Cordon-Ragot said.

It’s a really good thing, which I hope will be followed by other French men teams in France.

A worrying trend in women’s cycling as we’ve seen other important races wobbling (such as Emakumeen Bira or Dwars door of Westhoek) due to calendar clashes

Women’s cycling has only developed at the highest level with the World Tour and the ASO organizations but there is a too big gap between the national and the world level.

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“Women’s cycling has only developed at the highest level with the World Tour and the ASO organizations but there is a too big gap between the national and the world level.” Wiggle High5 rider said.

“I always thought that is better to only have one, but a good and professional one instead of five with bad conditions, calendar and stuff. Of course, it would be better to have two or three to make the level higher in France, to propose to more riders to reach the highest level. I think with FDJ investing in a women’s team it will help other big sponsors to come into.” 27-yearold French rider said.

ROAD & MUD SPECIALS

10-SHORT QUESTIONS 1 - Favourite bike race: Plouay 2 - Biggest achievement in your cycling career: Talking fluent English.

3 - Greatest ambition in the sport and personal bucket list: Giving your 100% and taking all the opportunities to be a better rider and person.

4 - Favourite climb: Cadoudal (Plumelec) 5 - Favourite teammate: Elisa Longo Borghini.

6 - Toughest moment in your cycling career: My two broken collarbones.

7 - Favourite training route or loop: Home with my husband.

8 - Favourite pre-race & post-race meal: Pasta with some salty butter and Belgian rice cake.

9 - Best lead-out you’ve delivered so far: The lead-out in Drenthe 2015 when Jolien won or the last Tour de Yorkshire’s 70 kilometers chase.

10 - Biggest cycling/sport admiration: I admire all the organizers who fight to continue organizing women’s races with little aids. I admire all the sport-women and men fighting to continue practicing their sport without help, money, support.

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Pictures: Wiggle-High5 Interviewee: Audrey Cordon-Ragot Interviewer: Diego Martín Editor: Diego Martín

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I admire all the organizers who fight to continue organizing women’s races with little a id s .

I admire all the sportwomen and men fighting to continue practicing their sport without help, money, support.