Longo wins French TT Championship

by kferaday | June 26, 2008 at 10:06 pm

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Giving hope to ageing athletes everywhere, Jeannie Longo embarrased riders who could be her kids. I wonder if Eddie Merckx would ever consider a comeback? Or Sean Kelly?

Four months before her 50th birthday, the evergreen Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli took her eighth career French time trial championship, bringing her tally of national road titles up to 22. She didn't just win, she smashed the competition - besting former cyclo-cross world champion Maryline Salvetat by one minute eight seconds. Third was Edwige Pitel, 1'57" off Longo's pace.

Longo looks to be back in good form for the Beijing Olympic Games in August, where she will look add to her medal count. She won gold in the Altanta road race in 1996, Silver in 1992 and in the time trial took silver in '96 and bronze in Sydney in 2000.