Cécile Lejeune on her steep gravel learning curve and medically retiring from sports in college

With Pace · Jul 21, 2025 · 1h 47m

Cécile Lejeune started racing triathlons in her native France at 12 years old and quickly began picking up national titles. After gaining the attention of international recruiters, she moved to the US to race track in college. Soon, however, a chronic series of stress fractures took her out of competition and forced her into early retirement. Now, after just one year racing gravel, she’s become a top contender in the Grand Prix, even nabbing fifth at her first Unbound earlier this year.

Cécile sat down with Payson at the studio in Durango to talk about learning the ins and outs of gravel…