Juliette Labous, Audrey Cordon-Ragot, and Victoire Berteau have secured the elite women’s team spots to represent France in the road race at the Paris Olympic Games on August 4. This announcement was confirmed by the Fédération Français de Cyclisme (FFC) on Tuesday. Both Labous and Cordon-Ragot are also set to compete in the individual time trial on July 27.
France has qualified three spots for the elite women’s road race, a 158km event starting and finishing at the Eiffel Tower on the Pont d’Iéna. The route includes a 110km lap before two laps of an 18.4km circuit near the Trocadéro Gardens.
Labous, ranked sixth in the UCI World Ranking, was France’s sole representative in the women’s road events at the Tokyo Olympics, finishing ninth in the time trial and 30th in the road race. This season, her achievements include top 10 finishes at Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, fourth overall at La Vuelta Femenina, and third overall at Itzulia Women.
“Very happy and proud to announce my selection for the time trial and road race! Two more short months of preparation to be on top on July 27 and August 4. Thank you FFC for the trust given,” Labous shared on Instagram.
Cordon-Ragot brings her experience from two previous Olympic Games to the team. Berteau, the reigning French Champion in the road race, also aims to compete in track events. Her strong Spring Classics campaign included a fifth-place finish at Ronde van Drenthe and eighth at Paris-Roubaix Femmes.
“Very proud and happy to announce my selection for the Olympic Games online race! Can’t wait to defend the colours on the most beautiful sporting event! Thanks to the FFC for its support and confidence. On the way to making history,” wrote Berteau.
Evita Muzic’s disappointment
Évita Muzic, who did not make the selection, expressed her disappointment on social media and stated that she would now focus on the Tour de France Femmes, which takes place after the Olympic Games.
“The road cycling event at the Paris Olympics 2024 was a dream. I will not be participating in that. The selector decided otherwise, and I can only accept that decision with bitterness and regret,” Muzic posted on Instagram. “Bitter because I was making this race a major goal of my season. The Paris Games are the event of the century, a unique opportunity to shine the blue-white-red flag at home, snag a medal and inspire future generations of our sport.”
Muzic, ranked 19th in the UCI, has had a standout season, including fourth at Flèche Wallonne, a stage win and fifth overall at La Vuelta Femenina, and second overall at Vuelta a Burgos. She continued, “Regret also because, with my performances since the beginning of the season, my victory on the Vuelta and the results achieved on explosive circuits that correspond to the course of the Games, I thought I had proven the relevance of my selection. That’s what I believed.”
She concluded with optimism, stating, “I’d still be, and obviously, one of the biggest supporters of the French team. Sports life is full of disappointments that you have to learn to cash in, to become stronger. Watching the Tour de France Women now, more determined than ever.”
