Cycling is a passion to unrelenting Laura Šimenc

What does cycling mean to you?

Congratulations, Laura Šimenc, on winning the 136 km Race route at L'Etape Slovenia by Tour de France 2023. What does cycling mean to you? Where do you derive this unstoppable "love" for pedalling? How did your cycling journey begin?

Cycling means relaxation, energy, a healthy lifestyle, joy, adrenaline, friendship, and more to me. Since my early days when my partner and I started going on cycling trips, cycling has been a great pleasure for me. It dates to the beginning of my academic journey when I bought my first road bike because I wanted to participate in a triathlon. Later, I became the national champion in sprint triathlon when I was around 20 years old. After a few years I transitioned solely to cycling due to several running injuries.

In this year's edition of L’Etape Slovenia by the Tour de France you didn't win only the yellow jersey as the overall winner among women cyclists, but also the green jersey for being the fastest in the sprint segment and the polka dot jersey for the queen of the climb to Jamnik. Which "battle" for the jersey was your favourite?

In essence, I didn't have battles because I arrived at the intermediate segments as the only woman. However, during the race, I wasn't aware of this fact since I mistook one man for a woman as did most other cyclists in the race, too. I managed to overtake him only a few hundred meters before the finish of the climb to Jamnik.

In the recreational cycling community amateur cyclists are essentially very serious cyclists, practically semi-professionals. How much amateurism do you allow yourself? Do you cycle just for fun, or do you plan each ride carefully? Do you have a team that takes care of you, perhaps sponsors and sponsorship deals?

I enjoy almost every cycling ride or training session. I don't strictly plan my workouts but set them on the go, depending on goals, time, and how I feel. I allow myself as much amateurism as I know it won't significantly impact to my sports results. I've been maintaining a healthy diet throughout my life, and perhaps I could occasionally use a bit more time to rest. However, those of us with full-time jobs and families always seem to lack that time.

A few years ago, you were a member of professional cycling teams, but you didn't persist in professional cycling for long. What deterred you? It seems you enjoy competing, set new challenges constantly, and elevate the standards of women's amateur cycling. What drives you to achieve milestones?

I wasn't a member of professional teams, but I did compete at the elite level for two years in the NÖ Radunion Vitalogic and BTC City Ljubljana clubs. I didn't persist because, at that time, I had just finished Veterinary School, and since I wasn't receiving a salary in those cycling clubs, I chose employment as a young researcher at the Veterinary Faculty of the University of Ljubljana.

I enjoy competing when I know I'm in good shape to see how I perform in races. I like challenging myself in various disciplines, so I'm never bored. I still feel that I progress every year in cycling, and that drives me to see if I can be even better. When I reach that limit with aging, I won't participate in cycling races anymore, but will continue cycling for joy and health.

When did you decide to participate in L'Etape Slovenia? Was the race challenging for you, and did you prepare specifically for it? How satisfied were you with your performance, the atmosphere, and the organization?

I decided to participate a few weeks before the race. I had considered participating last year, but it didn't align with the World Championships and my holidays in Italy. I was particularly attracted to the race because it took place in my hometown on roads familiar to me, and I had heard rumours about the excellent organization of the race. I didn't specifically prepare for the race, but it was quite demanding, especially the first lap when the pace was high. In the second lap, it felt much easier, perhaps due to my endurance.

I'm very satisfied with my performance, and the organization was excellent, as always. The atmosphere was incredible, with spectators cheering along the entire race route.

How many times did you ride the entire route before the race day? How many kilometres do you cycle annually? How many months a year do you train? Do you train alone, or do you arrange group rides with someone?

I've never cycled the entire route before the race day, but I have ridden the entire route in segments during my regular training rides. I cycle around 19,000 kilometres annually. I train alone, with my partner, and some friends with whom I'm compatible during training.

You're also a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Balancing a career and a semi-professional sports path requires a lot of discipline, focus, and advance planning. Is cycling the one that shapes your life, and do you adjust your leisure activities, vacation, and career to it? Or vice versa? Do you tailor sports to your career? How would you describe your character?

I generally try not to let cycling take precedence and avoid making everything revolve around it. Still, sometimes it gets out of control :P I always adjust vacation to cycling since my partner is also an avid cyclist, and we spend our free time together on bikes, including our beloved pets. I adjust sports to my career, but my career allows for a lot of sports activity, and free time is crucial to me. My character is active, always in need of new challenges, creative, competitive, yet calm and relaxed.

As the winner of L'Etape Slovenia, you earned a ticket to the famous L'Etape du Tour 2024 within the Reward program of the L'Etape series. What challenge does the race with 15,000 participants, 138 km, and 4,600 meters of elevation gain, including the famous Col de la Couillole and three other passes Braus, Turini, and Colmiane, pose for you? Completing a stage 14 days before professional cyclists isn't easy, especially since organizers already warn that it's one of the tougher stages of the Tour. Will you adjust your training regimen for this race, or is your focus entirely elsewhere?

I really like the route because I've cycled in those beautiful places, but I haven't decided whether I'll participate in the race. I'll train as usual, as I already train a lot for long climbs and extended cycling marathons. I don't even know how much I'll compete next year; it depends on what brings me joy.

How do you spend the "cycling" winter? Virtually, or do you switch to other endurance sports?

In winter, I ride on a trainer using the Zwift app, where I also race in the highest elite league, the Zwift Grand Prix. I also cycle outside mainly on weekends when I prefer to go to Kras or Istria for longer rides (4-5 hours). Otherwise, in winter, I also love to hike in the mountains, cross-country skiing, and alpine skiing as well.

What is the one laurel still missing that you dream of?

I would like to win the Maratona Dles Dolomites.

L'Etape Slovenia by Tour de France 2024?

Can't wait.

What are "your" favourite cycling terrains? Where can we "meet" you and try to keep up with you? 😊

My cycling terrains are mainly around the L'Etape Slovenia route (near Kranj), as well as Selška and Poljanska valleys. In winter, I cycle mostly in the winter garden on the terrace 😉 and in Istria and Kras.

Laura, thank you very much for the interview. We wish you all the best.