Into her seventh season with the team, Juliette has taken steps year-on-year both on and off the bike which culminated in a “breakthrough” 2022 campaign where she claimed her first GC WWT title at the Vuelta a Burgos Feminas, a Giro d’Italia Donne stage win and a hard fought fourth place at the Tour de France Femmes.
Cycling wasn’t in Labous’ blood, but she took up the sport after following her brother, who himself had been influenced by their parent’s friend’s son who was a good BMX’er. Originally doing BMX and mountain bike at around the age of seven, Juliette eventually found her home on the road – although she still enjoys dusting off her mountain bike and hitting some trails in the off-season.
Alongside cycling, Juliette practiced gymnastics and table tennis from a young age, although she jokes the latter wasn’t her career path, but the gymnastics has been useful for her cycling in terms of her balance and that she “can land a fall quite well”.
Calculated and studious, Juliette is always open to new ideas and to listen to advice from those around her; whether that be the team staff or her fellow riders – she always wants to learn. It’s then a reflection that with her hard-working approach that Juliette has risen through the ranks and that things with the team are “well on plan”.
“When I joined the team, we set out some goals together and things have gone great so far. In 2023/2024 the goal was to be up there with the best in WorldTour races and I think I’m starting to get there. We have really respected and trusted each other in it all.”
Reflecting on her last campaign that included the “crazy atmosphere” and “incredible experience” at the Tour de France Femmes, Juliette’s self-appointed best day on the bike was her stage win at the Giro Donne. It wasn’t only special because of the win itself but everything surrounding it, as Juliette was left disappointed in one of the previous stages where her GC chances vanished in a brutally hot stage.
“After that day we planned and looked at the mountain stage, knowing that a break could make it. The tricky part was when the gap came down, but I had to gamble and wait until the climb got steep but then everything went as planned. I had super legs and could hold off the peloton; it was like a computer game – it was really nice to take the win for everyone.”
Despite still only being 24 years old, Juliette’s experience and growth as a finisher helps her to motivate the rest of the team around her. Taking the approach of remaining steadfast and positive, Juliette likes to bring things in a constructive way, always communicating with the rest of the team – even at dinner and so on – to help keep a positive and open vibe. Importantly, she also tries to find the “balance between being serious and fun.”
It’s almost no surprise then that Juliette describes herself as “positive”, “determined’ and “disciplined” – always trying to remain upbeat and carry her smile wherever she goes, but behind that smile is a rider who knows where she wants to go and how to get there.
When she’s not racing or training, Juliette enjoys spending time with her boyfriend and family, listening to music, reading and going shopping. Despite her love for shopping, Juliette let slip that she never irons her clothes – which we think is somewhat ironic…and don’t ever ask her to draw anything because even though she won drawing competitions as a child her “ability hasn’t improved since I was around eight”
