A 3-time junior world champion from throughout street and observe disciplines, Megan Jastrab has arrived in Clermont-Ferrand to organize for her freshman foray of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift as a part of the Group dsm-firmenich squad.
She says she’s “privileged” and “excited” to be a part of the ladies’s Tour de France, the place she’ll work in a assist position for the 2 group leaders, Juliette Labous within the GC and Charlotte Kool for dash stage wins.
Jastrab is simply 21-years-old however is already used to the world stage. She by no means aspired to make a profession in street biking whereas rising up in southern California.
“I used to roll my eyes each summer season when my dad purchased the TV subscription and had the Tour taking part in day by day. I had no notion of the street aspect of biking. I understood that it was a tough effort, however simply experience your bikes for hours upon hours, why?” she advised Cyclingnews, explaining that her father was an lively street bike owner however she and her brother Ryan took half in BMX, filth biking, snowboarding and different sports activities.
“Now it’s actually cool that if I say I’m an expert bike owner to somebody within the US, they usually ask if I experience the Tour de France, I’m in a position to say ‘sure, I do experience the Tour de France.” I believe that’s actually thrilling.”
Whereas Jastrab made gentle of her childhood days earlier than changing fully to a one-sport focus in biking, she is severe about her profession.
She’s in her third full season with Group dsm-firmenich, with a contract carrying her by way of 2025.
It’s been a stable yr on the street thus far, ending second at Gent-Wevelgem, fourth at Brugge-De Panne and making the rostrum on a stage at Valenciana stage race.
Jastrab says to not search for her in any breakaways on the Tour, and that if she is in a break it it’s “to cease the breakaway”. Her position in France might be that of a “bodyguard” for the group leaders.
“Our group’s targets are for stage wins with Charlotte [Kool] within the sprints after which additionally for GC with Juliet [Labous]. My position might be extra of a bodyguard for each of them,” Jastrab advised Cyclingnews.
“So for dash days I’ll be Charlotte’s bodyguard to verify she’s protected and has every little thing she wants. And with regards to the lead out, that might be my job and Pfeiffer [Georgi]. After all everybody has a job within the group on every day to carry out, bit I will be later within the lead outs, simply ensuring I am there after which I am placing her place for the dash.
“Then on the opposite days, I will simply be ensuring Juliet is protected, doing what I can to maintain her in place for the climbs. So I will simply be using to assist each of them this week. The entire group is absolutely supporting them, and backing them. we’ve a really robust group that may obtain so much.”
Labous comes into the Tour de France Femmes after using to second general at Giro d’Italia Donne, the place Jastrab rode to a pair of prime 5 finishes throughout the 9 days of racing.
She mentioned it was her goal race of the season, however simply 5 days earlier than the bad-weather day in Chianciano, which washed out stage 1, a automobile pulled out in entrance of her as she completed a coaching experience and precipitated her to crash. She had knee ache afterwards, however managed to finish the Giro.
“Yeah, the Giro was speculated to be my goal race this yr. I used to be the dash chief there. Final yr there have been 4 or 5 dash days and this yr there was one dash day, the final day ended up being a dash. It was disappointing. I hoped to be taught and enhance to experience finals extra, so each time I do it now, it is like relearning to be the lead in last.
“A whole lot of the times was simply loads of climbing, not my fashion of racing. But it surely was nice coaching. I undoubtedly gained loads of expertise serving to with totally different teammates, They’re so motivating. After which we had Juliet within the GC. I believe I undoubtedly grew as a rider, and in every stage race you do. You push new limits and limits and then you definately simply develop out of them. I’ve had sufficient time to get well, I believe, so I am hoping that health reveals on the Tour.”