Cyclistvita Muzic interview: If I had to choose between the Olympics or the Tour de France, it would be the Tour de Francevita Muzic has just returned from a lengthy training ride in France. The Olympics is on, but she isnt there.It was hard mentally, she says, because I was really looking forward to it. I was sure I would be selected. I didnt race any Classics and apparently the selection was done there. We had no idea.Missing selection for her home Olympics has been a blow for the FDJ-Suez rider, who grew up in Lons-le-Saunier, at the foot of the Jura Massif in eastern France, which shaped her into the cyclist she is today.I think thats why I really love the ten-minute climbs in a race. Where I was born is so peaceful with lots of climbs that dont go on for too long.That punchy climbing ability helped her to victory at the French National Championships Road Race in 2021 and stage wins at the La Vuelta Femenina and the Giro Rosa. She only needs a stage of the Tour de France Femmes to complete the triple.FDJ-SuezMuzic was introduced to cycling through her parents. Her father, Thierry, owned a bike shop and her mother, Laurence, rode with younger riders in a club. Perhaps it was inevitable that she would find her way to the bike at almost three years of age and take to the start lines of competitions at five.Looking back at one of her earlier races, she recalls being one of three riders in the leading group, her racing rivals being boys. On the last corner, she accidentally rode straight and missed the turn. I was crying, she remembers, and my dad wasnt very happy. But when I was younger, I raced with the men a lot of the time.Family is a big part of Muzics life. When off the bike, the 25-year-old tries to spend as much time as possible with her family and boyfriend Eddy Fin, who races for Cofidis, as its hard to see each other often throughout the season. But even on the bike, she manages brings her cats with her. The paws of Pablito (or Toto) and Trsor (treasure) have decorated the frame of her bike since winning the national road race title in 2021.Thomas MaheuxOf her victories, one that Muzic is most proud of was beating Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) on Stage 6 of La Vuelta Femenina earlier this year. The day ended with the La Laguna Negra climb, which at 6.5km long suited Muzic perfectly.Its funny, someone asked me before the race how I could beat Vollering. I said that Ill try to follow her wheel. Its easy to say, but its what I did that day. It was amazing. A dream to win. Especially a stage like this with a hard climb, ahead of Vollering. For me now, I have more confidence. I have beaten her once so I can do it again.Gravel is another area where Muzic feels she could aim for stage victories, having come second on the gravel stage at the inaugural Tour de France Femmes in 2022.Personally, I really love gravel. You need to be good on the day and have the ability to deal with punctures. In a Grand Tour, its always special.FDJ-SuezWith the Tour de France Femmes starting on 12th August, Muzic knows that as a French rider on a French team in a French race, all eyes will be on her. Its a challenge she relishes.If I had to choose between the Olympics or the Tour de France, it would be the Tour de France. It can be a lot of pressure, but Ive learnt how to ride with it.A stage victory at the Tour de France Femmes would complete the iconic Grand Tour triple, and there are two hilly stages at this years Tour that look perfect for Muzic, especially the one that finishes in Lige and which incorporates some of the short and punchy climbs that normally make up Amstel Gold Race and Lige-Bastogne-Lige.However its not only in the stage races that she looks to win. One-day Classics races are on her mind too, such as Strade Bianche one of her most anticipated races on the calendar as well as La Flche Wallonne and Lige-Bastogne-Lige. And her plans dont end there.When I was younger, my dream was to be the French Champion. I became the French Champion. Now, I want to be the World Champion too. Related Posts Paris 2024 Olympics Cycling: Events, schedule, TV guide and everything you need to know Back where it belongs: inside the Tour de France Femmes Tour de France Femmes 2024 route announced ft. Alpe dHuez and a mini Monument The post vita Muzic interview: If I had to choose between the Olympics or the Tour de France, it would be the Tour de France appeared first on Cyclist.