Portrait
Tour de France Women: Sandra Lévénez, oldest and young at the same time
Sandra Lévénez, the oldest of the Tour de France Women 2022. © Mathilde L'Azou / Team Cofidis
Text by: Farid Achache Follow
3 mins
Sandra Lévénez is the oldest of the Tour de France Women 2022. At 43, this former duatlhon world champion wants to prove that her age is not a problem to fully enjoy this first edition organized by Amaury Sport Organization (ASO).
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From our special correspondent on the Tour de France Women,
Is there an age to live your dreams?
Obviously not for Sandra Lévénez, the doyenne of the
women's Tour de France
.
"
I want to take advantage of these moments, of this privilege of being there
", welcomes the former world champion of duathlon (running and cycling, editor's note).
At 43, the Breton, born in a region where cycling is a real religion, has dedicated her life to sport.
The one who practiced cross-country for a long time (running in nature, editor's note) was also part of the French triathlon team.
In 2019, she won the title of short-distance duathlon world champion for the second time at the Worlds in Pontevedra in Spain.
"
My age doesn't matter, what guides me is the search for performance
"
Since 2020, this physical education teacher has dedicated herself solely to cycling.
"
Nothing is left to chance anymore, we are really in a high level sport and this Tour de France Women is a recognition for us
", explains the runner from the Cofidis training.
Sandra Lévénez, “
passionate
” and “
perfectionist
” completed the last stage on Sunday July 31, with a finish at the Super Planche des Belles Filles.
Typical climber, she will be keen to be at the front of the race.
And it is not his age that will curb his enthusiasm.
“
My age doesn't matter, what guides me is the search for performance
,” she explains bluntly.
Moreover, when one evokes the Spanish cyclist
Alejandro Valverde
, 42 years old, in the encyclopedic charts, the runner acquiesces without however wanting to compare himself with such a great champion.
Moment of humility.
One could add that her 43 years remain a vector of experience and that she makes it an asset.
“
I started cycling relatively late and I'm on a rather upward phase,
says Sandra Lévénez
.
I was lucky to come across a period when women's cycling is expanding and I have to take advantage of it.
The rest is literature to answer politely
(smile).
If I thought about my age on the bike, it wouldn't be good.
It would give me excuses every time I'm not well!
Either way, cycling is a late-maturing sport
.”
Sandra Lévénez really has the temper of a champion.
"
She proves to young people that we must not let go
"
And it is not her sports director who will contradict her.
“
She proves to young people that we must not let go of the matter,
underlines Gaël Le Bellec.
She has serenity and above all she is very enduring.
His age is not a problem
”.
At 39, Dutch Annemiek van Vleuten has just won the Women's Tour of Italy.
At 35, her compatriot
Marianne Vos
, the best female cyclist of all time, is there to win this Tour de France Women.
So, Sandra Lévénez has no complex to do, just have fun and prove that dreams are stronger.
The bottom line is that it can still “
compete with the competition
”.
She swallows the miles with the greed of a junior.
On the roads of the women's Tour de France, Sandra Lévénez will be at the service of her leaders but could also play her personal card for a first victory among the professionals.
A well-deserved reward.
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Tour de France Women 2022
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