World Cup downhill seems to become increasingly brutal year on year. Times are ever-tightening, field spreads are shrinking and riders are having to push their limits, even overstepping them in pursuit of that top podium step. Myriam Nicole knows this better than most. She’s been at the forefront of women’s racing for well over 10 years now and has experienced the full plethora of emotions that a racer might be faced with, from the elation of winning to the desolation of injuries.
She might well have had a rougher ride than most with some pretty big injuries over the years, but no matter how hard she goes down she always fights her way back to the top. A stubborn determination fuelled by the passion for racing her bike. On the eve of the 2019 season, a big crash saw Myriam laying in a hospital bed with a smashed foot. By her own admission, she was done with racing. She had surgery that evening and by the time she came around the next morning her feelings had changed, she was fired up to get back between the race tapes. Flick through the months to the start of September and she stood atop the Mont-Sainte-Anne podium complete with the rainbow jersey, her first World Champs win. Not only a fairytale turnaround but a just reward for what she’d fought through.
We go back to the start and talk about everything from her introduction to riding and racing, to balancing studying with racing, her long relationship with Commencal, and the highs and lows of racing.
[continued...]
From Pink Bike
Check out PinkBike.com for the latest in cycling and mountain biking news, freeride videos, photos, events, race results and more. Submit your own biking pictures and videos online.
