Jeannie Longo Ciprelli (Image credit: Fabrice Lambert)
Long-time racer Jeannie Longo (Team Pro Feminin Les Carroz) won her second French national title this week in Semur-in-Auxois with a victory in the 110km road race on Saturday by 3'05" ahead of the 28 year-old Christel Ferrier Bruneau (Team Lot-et-garonne). On Thursday, the French woman captured the time trial national championship ahead of Maryline Salvetat by one minute eight seconds. Longo, who will celebrate her 50th birthday in October, collected what is her 54th career national title.
She looks to be in good form for the Beijing Olympic Games in August, where she will look add to her medal count. Although the French Olympic team has not officially been named, Longo is a likely member. She won gold in the Atlanta road race in 1996, Silver in 1992 and in the time trial took silver in 1996 and bronze in Sydney in 2000.
When asked about retirement by the AFP, Longo said she was not thinking of it now as she wouldn't want to have those thoughts in her head while preparing for the upcoming World Championships and various races in her region.
