Alicia Genest showing fine dismount form.  Genest is the current Collegiate and Espoir National cyclocross Champion.  RaceListings.com spoke with Alicia as the new cyclocross season started.

Tell us about your background in cycling.

I started cycling when I was eight years old on the road because my dad was always taking me and my sisters to the races.  We started cyclocross when I was twelve, in 1994.  I've raced every year since.

You race a full season on the road and then jump right into cyclocross in the fall.  How do you keep your focus and motivation up for such a long season?

I think that the transition from Road to cross is pretty easy because by the time August rolls around, I can't wait to race cyclocross.  It's a totally different experience that I usually start longing for as early as June! It's the cross to road transition that I think is more difficult.

What are your goals for the 2002-2003 'cross season?

My ultimate goal is to repeat at nationals in Napa.  I also am just aiming for improvement from year to year to keep myself motivated.Racing in New England is a good way to gage that as I have raced with many of these women since I was 12.

What cyclocross specific training do you do?

Cross isn't much different than road.  It requires shorter rides in total (no four hour days like in the summer) and also a good amount of running.  It's all personal preference, but I like to mix it up as the running sections of cross are where I can gain on my opponents.

What was your worst cyclocross crash?

Actually my worst cross crash was at Keene last year and not on the steep drop off.  I was just riding across the field to the start line and a stick got caught in my wheel and I went right over the bars.  I sprained my finger and was pretty sore for a few days.  This crash was also painful as I looked ridiculous crashing all by myself on a flat surface.

What type of 'cross course do you favor?  Fast and dry?  Slow and muddy?

I prefer muddy courses.  Anything that will slow down the race from the road race pace that often occurs.  Perfect weather for me was Baltimore nationals last year (Friday).  It doesn't have to be raining, but slick and tricky/technical is good!

There has been talk about removing barriers from cyclocross races.  How do you feel about this?

I think that there should always be some form of barrier.  That's what makes cyclocross what it is.  I think that people are looking for faster races, but there really isn't much speed lost with the addition of barriers.  It simply adds excitement and a challenging aspect...  plus I like the barriers the best!

When you're in a race and it's crunch time what do you think about to get you through the pain barrier?

I'm not sure.  I guess I just focus on telling myself that the pain doesn't hurt that much.  Sometimes that works and sometimes I just have to suffer through it and count down the laps until I'm done!

What do you like best about cycling?  What do you like least?

I think that the best part of cycling is the atmosphere around it.  I love being at races and hanging out with all of the interesting people that I meet and race with.  I don't know what I like least about cycling but I guess it would be some of the politics that comes with the sport.

What are you long terms goals in cycling?

I plan on racing until I'm an old lady!  I'm not sure what my plans are but I hope to one day race in Europe.  I definitely would like to go to Cross worlds sometime in the next 5 or so years but anything can happen.

Alicia Genest Bio:

Birthdate:	July 16, 1982
Born:	Jamestown, RI
Resides:	Amherst, MA
Category:	2
Current Team:	Richard Sachs/CYBC
Maximum HR:	210
Resting HR:	60
Watts/KG:	??
Height:	5'2.75"
Weight:	112
Do you have a full-time coach?:	yes
Do you train with a hear rate monitor?:	no
Favorite Food:	ice cream
Favorite Book:	???
Favorite Type of Music:	whatever I can sing to

Richard Sachs is a craftsman framebuilder who has been refining his skills for over a quarter-century.  For more information, please contact: