Numainville races to the front of the pack

Team TIBCO/To The Top does a good job of keeping its fans up to date on what the team and its riders are doing. They recently did a question and answer with Joelle Numainville, the 2010 Canadian National Road Cycling Champion. Here’s what they had to say:

Joelle Numainville has enjoyed consistently good form in 2011. In the spring, she delivered a strong top 10 finish at the Tour of Flanders, and in the past month she’s posted a series of wins and podiums at big races, including the win this past weekend at the Clarendon Cup, and a 2nd to World Champion Giorgia Bronzini at the GP Gatineau. We sat down with her for a little insight into what drives her on and off the bike.

Who got you into competitive cycling?
My parents. I didn’t like the bike at first. I switched from mountain to road because I lived in the city, and it was hard to get out on the trails. They pushed me until I learned to like the road

What is your most memorable ride or race?
Definitely Junior Worlds in Italy in 2004. It was my first international race. It was the first time I understood the influence of the UCI and how far I could aspire to go in the sport.

What are your personal cycling goals for the rest of the season?
I’m singularly focused on the Olympic selection. It’s my biggest goal right now. Everything else I have done or do – Pan Ams, Nationals, racing in Europe – all support this goal.

What’s in your jersey pockets and/or saddle bag while training?
Not too much. I have Dr. Vie bars and my cell phone

Who is your greatest mentor – athletic or otherwise?
This one is easy. My mom.

To what do you attribute your success?
Every day I work hard on the bike. It’s an every-day thing. I put 100% of what I have into what I’m doing every day.

If you won the lottery, what would be your first purchase?
A motorboat – to water ski behind

What’s the last thing you cooked?
I don’t cook, but I made a salad with chicken last night.

You ride for both Team TIBCO and the Canadian National Team, and on top of that you’re enrolled in university. How do you balance everything?
When I race, I am racing. When I study, it’s a separate part of my day. Let’s say in the mornings, I train. I give 100% to my training. After, I know I did it well, and it’s done. After Nationals, I will turn my focus to my studies more. When I study, I give 100% of my studies.This is how I am in life. When I do what I do, I give it 100% and then I move on to the other thing, and give that thing 100%. This makes balance not too difficult. I’m not worried about one thing while I’m doing the other.

Cycling has taken you all over the globe. Do you enjoy the travel or do you just consider it “part of the job?” What are some of the cooler places you have been?
I enjoy traveling. I really do. The only problem sometimes is that you don’t choose the time or place. Most of the time, I really enjoy it, though. The coolest place that I’ve been is Switzerland. The border of Switzerland and Italy is so different. It’s beautiful, and I really liked it there.