Jeannie Longo has clocked up a stunning 57th national title in the French championships, winning the time trial for the third consecutive year.
Now 51 years of age, the legendary competitor shows little signs of slowing down, and will doubtlessly be aiming for number 60 in the years to come.
The rider from Grenoble opened up a considerable one minute 19 second winning margin over Edwige Pitel in the 24.7 kilometre test in Chantonnay. Pitel is no slouch, having won the title in 2004 and 2005; she is also older than many of her competitors at 42 years old. Christel Ferrier-Bruneau took the bronze medal.
Longo’s first title came 31 years ago. In the years since then she has clocked up a superb list of results, including the following:
Three editions of the women’s Tour de France
Gold and silver medals in Olympic Road race
Silver and bronze in Olympic time trial
Five world road race championship titles
Four world time trial championships titles
Four track world championship titles (pursuit and points races), as well as three silvers and three bronze medals.
Silver medal in 1993 UCI world mountain bike championship
15 French road race titles
8 French time trial titles
2000 world hour record
Two Women’s Challenge titles
She most likely would have won more national time trial titles but they were only introduced to the women’s programme in 1995.
Longo said she had targeted this year’s time trial championship. She will also compete in the women’s road race this weekend, and will aim to better her bronze medal of last year.