The race to the highest of La Laguna Negra at La Vuelta Femenina in May was a second to recollect for Évita Muzic (FDJ-SUEZ). The French rider not solely took a spectacular stage win but in addition beat Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime).
That has given her hope because the highlight sweeps towards the Tour de France Femmes the place the ultimate deciding pedal strokes will unfold on the legendary hairpins of L’Alpe d’Huez.
Muzic shall be racing alongside Uttrup Ludwig, Grace Brown, Coralie Demay, Loes Adegeest, Amber Kraak and Léa Curinier within the FDJ-Suez Tour de France Femmes.
This 12 months’s race could start within the Netherlands and sweep via Belgium within the opening phases this 12 months, but it surely finishes in residence territory for Muzic, who has been one of many prime French hopes for the occasion since this incarnation of it started three years in the past.
The final three phases take the race again into France and head to the Alps for the primary time, delivering a remaining day that crests the HC ranked Col du Glandon earlier than throwing up the ultimate check of the Alpe d’Huez.
The mixture could also be a sprinters nightmare however for Muzic the possibility to chase a win on the highest of that climb, significantly if it could possibly be one which clinched her yellow, is the holy grail.
“I used to be dreaming for Alpe d’Huez on the Tour de France,” Muzic mentioned forward of the race.
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“For certain, in my dream, I need to win on the highest of Alpe d’Huez. But it’s going to be concerning the legs.
“I believe there shall be no shock that the legs, actually will speak, and I hope to be good there and to do the most effective outcome for the workforce and for me, for all of the preparation I’ve carried out.”
That preparation for Muzic has been intently focussed, with the rider coaching at altitude with the workforce whereas lots of her rivals have been in Paris on the Olympic Games.
Missing the as soon as in 4 12 months occasion because it occurred in her residence nation was undoubtedly a blow, however one which had its benefits given the race which passes proper via her residence area in phases 6 and seven was at all times going to be her main purpose.
“At the start, I used to be disillusioned to not be there for the Olympics, particularly as a result of it was in Paris,” mentioned Muzic. “And sure, I used to be considering to first go there however after, I used to be actually centered on the constructive aspect of this resolution, and I believe it is higher for the preparation.”
That preparation is ever so essential this 12 months. She got here eighth total in 2022 however needed to abandon with sickness earlier than the mountains in 2023. Muzic has large objectives for the 2024 Tour after a season to date which has given her each purpose to consider that she will obtain them, together with her defeat of Vollering on the La Vuelta Femenina.
“It was, for certain, actually cool to win, and particularly in entrance of Demi, and now I’ve tons extra confidence in me,” mentioned Muzic. “Now I do know I’ve crushed her one time, so I can do it another time.”
That confidence, means Muziccan begin this 12 months’s French Grand Tour with total podium ambition. She is co-leader at FDJ-Suez with Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig however their roles might change through the race.
The workforce seems to be extra conscious than ever that they will come unstuck earlier than the mountains even arrive, with Muzic ending fifth total at La Vuelta after getting caught out in echelons on stage 4.
“Now the purpose can be to lose as little time as potential on the three first phases after which the legs will actually communicate on the finish,” mentioned Muzic.
A profitable 2024 Tour de France Femmes is “both a stage win or a very good common classification” however after all the final word dream is yellow.
“We have excessive formidable as a result of the Tour de France, it’s at all times particular within the season,” mentioned FDJ Suez supervisor Stephen Delcourt.
“Every 12 months we would like for our sponsors, for our companions, for our followers, success within the Tour de France.”
“We have a dream collectively. We have a plan collectively,” mentioned Delcourt.
“Maybe it isn’t for this 12 months, possibly not for subsequent 12 months, however we’ve this line for the longer term, and we’re formidable. We know additionally that the contenders are actually, actually sturdy, however we’re additionally actually sturdy.”
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