SAINT-BRIEUC, France, June 25, 2009 (AFP) – Even reaching 50 has not dimmed the appetite of French cycling grande dame Jeannie Longo, who Thursday won her 56th national crown in the western city of Saint-Brieuc.

Longo, who started her sporting career as an Alpine skier, won an Olympic road race title in 1996 while her haul also includes five road race world championships.