By François-Xavier RALLET
A few days before the first slalom of the season in Levi, Julien Lizeroux told Eurosport he would not take part in the North American tour in Lake Louise (Canada) and Beaver Creek (USA). The French racer has decided to prepare for the giant slalom in Val d'Isere.
"Even if our schedule is subject to constant change, I will not go to the United States and Canada this year and will prepare myself for the events at Val d'Isere instead," Lizeroux could not have been clearer. After closely missing to qualify for the second run of the giant slalom opening in Soelden, the 31 year-old will miss the second GS of the season in Beaver Creek, on 5th December.
"For me, racing is not about building confidence, but about being successful. I use each race to develop and progress,"said one of the slalom favorites who will sport a new helmet in 10 days in Finland for the season opening competition in Levi set for Sunday, 14the November. This winter, the legendary Birds of Prey in Beaver Creek will not be on Lizeroux' program: "I scored my first points in giant slalom last winter, and I still want to score more. But I am not in a hurry: I'm progressing slowly but surely. "
After the Finnish gates, Lizeroux will next be seen in Val d'Isere on the World Cup tour. The French venue saw him become vice-world champion in slalom and super combined in 2009. The Frenchman, who so far has three World Cup wins, will take part in he GS on Saturday 11th December and will then try to shine between the tight gates the next day. Last season, Lizeroux took 17th place in the Avalin GS. This year, the super combined has been replaced by a slalom.
Courtesy of Eurosport
