Quebecoise rider Marie-Soleil Blais joins Astana for 2019
Multi-time Quebec champion and top-10 placer at all of Canada's UCI races earns spot with pro women's team
Marie-Soleil Blais is turning professional in 2019 signing on Monday with the Astana Women’s Team. The multiple-time Quebec provincial champion has been steadily progressing in cycling after a sports career focused on hockey.
“I always loved riding, for me the bike it’s always been equivalent to freedom and I saw it as a wonderful way for exploring new places,” said Blais. “Hockey is a tough sport where injuries are quite common and at one point I realized I wasn’t able to progress anymore and I thought that I had better chances in cycling: I loved it from the beginning and the more I learn the more I loved it, and now I’m very happy for this new step in my career.”
Blais has had top-10 finishes at all of Canada’s UCI races including the White Spot / Delta Road Race, the Canadian national road and individual time trial championships, the Grand Prix Cycliste de Gatineau and the Chrono Gatineau. She’s also accumulated experience at many of North America’s biggest stage races including the Tour of California, the Tour of the Gila, the Joe Martin Stage Race where she finished top-10 on two stages in 2018 and the Cascade Cycling Classic.
The move to Astana open’s up the European calendar to Blais who has shown speed in bunch kicks and power in time trials.
“I really have to thank my coach Chris Rodzilsky. With him I really reach a new high level of training, I really stepped-up my performances and now I can’t wait for the next season to start,” Blais said. “I’m ready to try new experiences, to learn from the team and to help my teammates, I want to be part of team’s success.”
Astana, who ride Argon18 bicycles and are based in Montreal, were ninth place in the UCI Women’s World Tour Ranking in 2018 and eleventh in the UCI Women’s World Ranking. In 2018, the team’s victory haul was lead by Cuban rider Arlenis Sierra.
Blais is hoping to step in with the team and earn a place with Canada’s national team at some big upcoming races. “I’m very proud to represent such a big Canadian brand in races all over the world and it would be awesome to earn a call for the next World Championships in Yorkshire, but on a longer term my goal is to represent Canada at the Olympic Games,” said Blais.
