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Who is 2017 elite women’s Canadian cyclocross champion Christel Ferrier-Bruneau?

38-year-old has the distinction of winning the national titles of two countries in two different cycling disciplines

The new Canadian national cyclocross champion Christel Ferrier-Bruneau is racing her first North American ‘cross season. That’s because she was born and raised in France only moving her family to Canada last year. At 38-year-old, Ferrier-Bruneau is new on the Canadian cycling scene but make no mistake she is a veteran of the sport having raced professionally for seven years in Europe before initially retiring in 2013.

During her career, Ferrier-Bruneau was twice French national road champion (2009 and 2011) and finished on the podium at six French cyclocross championships. She’s also finished in the top-10 at the world cyclocross championships on three occasions with her best result being fourth in 2008.

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Ferrier-Bruneau is a dual Canadian and French citizen who was born in Montpellier, France. Her parents lived in Canada for five years and her sisters were born in here. She returned to Canada in 2016 with her husband and three-year-old son now calling Granby, Que. home. After riding to the Canadian elite women’s cyclocross title in  Sherbrooke, Que. on Saturday, Ferrier-Bruneau has the unique distinction of winning the national titles of two countries in two different cycling disciplines.

“I returned to Canada with my husband and young son to live a new adventure and Canada is a country that attracted us,” Ferrier-Bruneau said. “We are both athletes who love challenges.”

Despite retiring in 2013 to have and raise her son Alexandre, Ferrier-Bruneau never stopped riding continuing to love the sport. Working as a coach within her own structure and at the Centre National Bromont meant she kept in shape. She also organizes courses in Spain with the Velo2max-Ferrier Academy.

“Coming to Canada has allowed me to discover new races in North America with another mentality; it motivated me to resume racing,” Ferrier-Bruneau explained about race with Canadian UCI team SAS-Macogep in 2017. “It’s a pleasure returning to competition and I want to pass on my years of experience.”

Reflecting on the challenges of returning to elite-competition, Ferrier-Bruneau noted that her greatest victory remains her son who gives her perspective when it comes to cycling.

“It’s not easy to balance top-level sport when you work and have a family. Before I just had to worry about training well, resting; I only thought about the bike.
The days are not long enough to do everything and often, I do not have much time to recover,” Ferrier-Bruneau explained. “But that’s another challenge and I’m helped by my husband. When my son cheers for me on it gives me a big boost!”

Heading into the cyclocross season, Ferrier-Bruneau really focused on building form for the North American rounds of the World Cup and Canadian nationals. The next part of her season remains uncertain but a trip over to Europe seems likely. “I will see how I organize things with my son but I want to do some rounds of the World Cup in Europe,” she said. “If that goes well, why not the world championships?”