March 31, 2006 — This Saturday Marie-Hélène Prémont will officially begin her mountain biking season with the UCI World Cup in Curaçao, in the Dutch Antilles, and if past performances are the hallmarks of things to come, Prémont should have a dazzling 2006 season.

Only a week ago, Prémont won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia — just having finished her winter training which was not filled with biking, but rather with cross-country skiing. In 2005, Prémont presented a serious challenge to Norwegian Olympic Champion Gunn-Rita Dahle, who has dominated the sport for a number of years. One of Prémont’s most impressive victories was her 2005 World Cup win at Mont Ste-Anne, which she describes as one of the best moments of her career — even better than her silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

Commenting on her goals this season, Prémont says “This year, I believe I can finish ahead of Dahle. Last year it was a real confidence booster to see that she wasn’t unbeatable. What is important to me is the World Cup series, and of course the upcoming Beijing Olympics – I will definitely keep riding until 2008. To have beaten Dahle once tells me that I still have some years ahead of me where we’ll be trading places on the podium.”

Third overall in the 2005 MTB World Cup series and second in 2004, Prémont has a key objective in mind this season — to stay consistent. “I want to attack my races and give my best while maintining my position among the best in the world,” she commented. Her objective is partially based on her goals for the 2005 MTB Worlds in Rotorua, New Zealand at the end of August. “For two years I’ve finished fourth, and this year, I want to break that cycle!”

Despite her numerous victories in 2006, success didn’t come overnight for Prémont. Year after year, the 28-year-old athlete has steadily climbed to the top of the rankings. Prémont explains her steady rise as the result of increased body awareness and confidence. “I would see incremental progression,” she said, “In cycling, a lot of winning occurs as a result of mental training. Knowing that I am able to beat and compete with the world’s best, and that I have every right to be there makes all the difference.”

Sponsorship also makes a difference РPr̩mont recently signed a major sponsorship deal with Quebec-based pharmacy chain Familiprix, who will support her academic endeavours as a she completes her Masters of Pharmacology.

Prémont is also dedicated to her fans. “I often meet young kids and I see their eyes widen when we meet. I know I have an influence on them; just talking with them inspires me, and I like to inspire them as well. During March break some kids were playing outside and they said ‘Hey! That’s Marie-Hélène!’I have my fan club, and they help to keep me motivated,” she added.