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The American Marianne Martin won the first edition of the Women's Tour de France in 1984. She recalls her experience 35 years later.
Although Marianne Vos won the 2019 Race on Friday, another Marianne won a much bigger title 35 years ago.
Marianne Martin is the first winner of the Women's Tour de France, which ran alongside the men's race of 1984-1989.
Martin was not supposed to win. In fact, the American was the last woman chosen for his team. Today, her winner's trophy is discreetly placed on a shelf in her living room in Boulder, Colorado. It contains random objects, says Martin, did not have time to put away – a credit card, an ornament, a picture of his mother.
"What we are not what we did is what we do," says Martin. Thirty-five years ago, the focus of the camera was centered on Martin as she headed for the first Women's Tour victory. Today, 61-year-old Martin spends a lot of time behind the camera as a professional photographer for portraits and weddings. Athlete still active, mainly in running, she exchanged time on her bike for time on her horse.
VeloNews Martin, a pioneer, still to be inducted into the Cycling Hall of Fame, hears his thoughts on La Course and his unique experience on the Tour de France.
VeloNews: Were there key moments leading to the Tour that made a difference in your performance?
Marianne Martin: When I met National Coach Tim Kelly at a restaurant, he invited me to his home where he directed the athletes in visualization. We were there, Davis Phinney, Ron Keifel and I, all lying on his floor. He told us to imagine ourselves at the world championships. I almost started laughing. I thought, "I'm that Michigan farm girl. Who am I to think about the world championships? "
But thinking in this way, I would never have approached, including seeking a spot in the Tour team and even saying to myself: "I could win!" Shortly after, I met an oncologist who had visualized his patients, and I worked a lot with him. These sessions helped me build strength, manage pain and develop self-confidence.
VN: The Women's Tour de France ran alongside the men's race of 1984-1989. You are an entrepreneur What would it take to bring the Tour de France back to women?
MM: Unfortunately, I think it comes down to money. It's a business, and if something is not profitable, it disappears. The market is essential for someone who comes to sponsor a women's Tour de France. There is so much interest and controversy around that, it would win the world press … a lot of press. People want women in the tour. But someone has to go out and find the right people and make the right offer. Nobody is going to get there by saying, "Give me, give me, give me."
VN: Are women sufficiently challenged at The Race?
MM: For one day, yes. It is a 120 km course. But it's only a day. We completed 18 stages in 23 days, despite the French impression that we would not finish. It's a pity it's not over, but it's fabulous for women to have a foot in the door of the Tour. It's a shame that it was not run as I won, because it was an incredible experience. Hope one day he will come back.
VN: You have stayed in second clbad hotels compared to men, have received a lot less training and earned a lot less in earnings. It did not bother you?
MM: But what is important here? Racing my bike! I've won less than $ 1,000 in earnings. I later retired from my $ 12,000 bike debt and worked two jobs in Latin America to repay it. But it did not matter. I felt so lucky to be in France. I have to bike every day for a month.
VN: Was the competition on the Tour de France the highlight of your life?
MM: I guess it was, but it was not the hardest thing I did. Running on the Ultra-Trail Mont Blanc was the hardest [106 miles and 32,940 feet elevation gain]. But everyone can go out and run Mont Blanc. Few people have the chance to do the Tour de France.
VN: How did the end of your career as a professional cyclist inspire the book you write? Soaring after the sport?
MM: The transition between my sport and my life was difficult. Cycling was my family. My concentration My life. At that time, my cycling family understood me better than my real family. Athletes need to understand that transition is a difficult thing and treat it as a difficult thing. The purpose of this book is to teach people how to make the transition from sport to "real life" easier and more successful. It is a compilation of interviews of athletes who have succeeded and failed in their transition to the real world.
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