Grace Brown is ready to line up for her first time trial since successful an Olympic Games gold medal within the self-discipline earlier this month, with the stage 3 Tour de France Femmes race in opposition to the clock considered one of her greatest possibilities to ship a victory for FDJ-SUEZ on the race.
Still, given the stage is simply 6.3km lengthy, it isn’t going to be a straightforward activity for the Australian to fend off her rivals and preserve the momentum flowing as she says farewell to the eight-stage race that’s the point of interest of her French workforce’s season.
“It’s so much shorter than what I did two weeks in the past and never precisely what I’ve been coaching for,” stated Brown. “I feel can nonetheless put in efficiency, whether or not it is ok to win is tough to say, as a result of a few of these time trials favour the sprinter-type riders.”
“We will see what is required, however will probably be enjoyable to have my first time trial within the Tour as Olympic champion. It might be a particular second regardless of the result’s.”
The time trial, which runs on Tuesday afternoon because the second stage of the day, can also be adopted on Wednesday by one other alternative, a lumpy 122.7km stage which finishes the place Brown claimed her first Monument win in April, Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
“Liège is a race that has been good for me though it does not usually go well with a rider like me,” added Brown. “I’m trying ahead to that stage within the Tour. Being in the course of a tough stage race is a unique story, however we’ll see what we are able to do.”
There is little question that Brown has the shape to profit from her ultimate Tour de France Femmes and her ultimate months of racing. Even earlier than the Olympic gold medal it was clear that the 32-year-old rider, who is ready to bow out on the finish of her sixth season as an expert, was stuffed with motivation and vitality to make it a farewell to recollect.
“Being capable of exit on prime is so cool,” stated Brown. “Not many individuals get to do this. You hope that your ultimate yr might be good however, for it truly to be good, is a dream.
“It additionally signifies that after I end, I’m nonetheless going to like biking. Lots of professional cyclists are burned out after they come to the tip of their careers. I’m nonetheless going to wish to journey my bike. I nonetheless love the game and I really feel like that has made an enormous distinction, to go away with good reminiscences.”
There can also be nonetheless time to make much more, not solely whereas the Tour de France Femmes unfolds within the coming days but additionally on the Road World Championships. Brown has come second within the race for the rainbow bands the final two years, however on September 22 in Zurich can have a final probability to make it to the highest step.
“If I can win the time trial, it could full every little thing,” stated Brown. “I’m pleased with what I’ve achieved up to now however to have a rainbow jersey as properly could be very nice.”