Date of Birth: 26th April 1993
Nationality: Canadian
Team: Massi-Tactic
Former Teams: WNT-Rotor, Cervelo-Bigla, Poitou-Charentes
Career Achievements:
2nd Stage Setmana Ciclista Valenciana (2017)
5th National Championship Road Race (2015, 2014)
7th National Championship Road Race (2019)
8th National Championship TT (2014)
9th National Championship Road Race (2013)
11th National Championship Road Race (2012)
13th KZN Summer Series Race 1 & 2 (2017)
15th La Perigord Ladies (2019)
Who taught you how to ride a bike & how old were you?
My parents and especially my dad have always risen bikes, it was their couple activity you know! and when I was about 8 I really wanted to have a “race aero bike” just like them (it was just a normal road bike).
So for my birthday, my parents bought me my first road bike. And during the tour that year I decided I wanted to be just like Michael Rasmussen ahahha because he was a “bad ass climber” ???? so a few months after they registered me in a youth club in my city and I started riding and racing now and then.
What’s the most important piece of kit/advice that has helped boost your performance?
Funny Enough I would say the thing that boosted me the most was my mom who told me many times I would never make cycling a career or race at the tour, not because she didn’t believe in me but mostly because she knew how much struggles came with Women cycling and I think she didn’t want that for me … but I’m so stubborn I made a mission to prove her wrong and.. I remember the first time I raced la course on the Champs Elysees I called her that morning and said “ ahahah see ! you were wrong! now I’m here ????” eheh I think she was proud. She is very proud
What’s your favourite routes/places to ride?
The Alps… Switzerland for sure.
What tips do you have to keep the love of cycling going amidst all the training?
I love nature! Before I was a cyclist I used to be a snowboarder and for the same love of the mountains and the outdoors.
What experiences are still to do on your cycling ‘bucket list’?
I don’t have a set bucket list! I don’t overthink cycling, I mostly go as it comes and enjoy the process and the adventures.
Thanks for reading about Gabrielle Pilote-Fortin – more Women’s Cycling Profiles can be found here
