SEMUR-EN-AUXOIS, France, June 26, 2008 (AFP) – French cycling legend
Jeannie Longo has all but clinched a place in the Beijing Olympics at the age
of 49.

The five-time world champion staked her claim with an outstanding win in
the time-trial at the French National Championships on Thursday.

She finshed in 31 minutes 16 seconds, over a minute ahead of second-placed
Edwige Pitel.

The French team for China has yet to be named, but her win in the national
championships puts her in prime position to grab a spot

“My target was to represent France at the Olympic Games,” Longo said. “Now,
I am aiming at a podium placing. It will be tough and even if I finish in the
first five at Beijing I will be happy.”

Longo, who will be 50 in October, has won world titles im time-trials and
road races, but her only Olympic gold came when she won the road race at the
1996 Atlanta Olympics.