January 3, 2001

Montreal is in the midst of an economic, social and cultural revival spurred by a new generation of dynamic young leaders. These movers and shakers have already left their mark on the city in the fields of business, science, new technology, politics, sports, the arts, education and community service. And as 2001 gets under way, they continue to shape a city that's more multicultural and multilingual than ever. To celebrate this new spirit of intellectual, political and artistic openness, The Gazette and La Presse have joined forces to highlight 40 people under the age of 40 we think will have an impact on Montreal in the decade to come.

Genevieve Jeanson is ready to challenge the world's top cyclists
photo John Mahoney, The Gazette

Riding high with the best

Genevieve Jeanson
AGE : 19
Occupation: Olympic Cyclist

At a critical point during last winter's six-day Tour de Snowy, a brutally difficult, nine-stage cycling race through Australia's Snowy Mountains, a well-beaten competitor called Genevieve Jeanson "an animal."

Jeanson, en route to a stunning triumph in her first significant senior-class race, was not insulted.

In fact, the Lachine teenager took it as a compliment.

She saw it as a recognition of her willingness to battle experienced riders many years her senior, an envy of her fearless attack of the fiercest terrain, a respect for her acceptance of nothing less than victory.

It's difficult to digest how much Jeanson has accomplished in the past 14 months. Now 19, she is not merely keeping pace with the seasoned veterans in international women's cycling, she's often leading them.

With only 112 pounds on her 5-foot-6 frame, she is still growing, physically and psychologically, and has a potential that's beyond estimate. She believes she'll be racing for at least another decade, and her success and influence will pull many new riders into her sport.

Role Model
The Andre Laurendeau CEGEP student is one of the brightest talents in cycling, an articulate role model for young riders and a formidable challenge for women who have been competing since long before she rode her first race.

Jeanson only took to serious cycling when she was 13, coached then, and now, by Andre Aubut, a physical-education teacher at Lachine's Dalbe-Viau High School. Success came quickly - she won a silver medal at the 1993 Quebec Games, beginning a steady climb through the ranks.

But her breakthrough came in the autumn of 1999, when she won both the time-trial and the road-race at the junior world championships in Italy, the first Canadian to do so. Then came her win in the Tour de Snowy and a magnificent victory at the Fleche Wallonne in Belgium, a World Cup featuring the sport's best senior riders.

"I was alone in the steep climb at the end of the Fleche Wallonne," Jeanson recalls, "and I was saying, «Wow, I'm winning this race. What's going on ?» "

Hunger for Success
She soon qualified for Canada's Olympic team at the national championships, and finished 11th and 15th in Sydney's road-race and time-trial. Both were fine results, yet she was devastated, which perfectly illustrated her hunger for success.

"I was so mad at myself," she says. "I love to win, as much as I hate to lose."

But Jeanson agrees she learned from the experience and this year, leading the new Team RONA into a series of 11 North American races and without the pressure of the Olympics, she is focusing on June's World Cup on Mount Royal and the senior world championships in Portugal in October.

"Winning the senior worlds is achievable, and yes, I believe I can win," Jeanson says. "I will have to work very hard, but the other riders don't have four legs or six lungs, they're just like me.

"What I'm telling people is, «I'm good but I work hard, this was not free.» Sometimes I'll lose and sometimes I'll win, but I'm always the same person. My message to people is, «Never give up. Everything is possible.» "

Back to Genevieve Jeanson's home page

This page of Genevieve Jeanson's www site (a part of VELOPTIMUM), was updated on
January 3, 2001 by