Anne-Caro, full name Anne-Caroline Chausson, is one of the best female riders EVER, arguably THE best. Allegedly, Anne-Caro was the fastest out of EVERYONE at certain times in our sport’s history. Anne-Caro totally ruled, and showed that even if on average women aren’t as fast or as jump-capable as the boys, our gender does necessarily have to hold us back.

Anne-Caro at Red Bull Lisboa Downtown 2005

Born in 1977 in Dijon, France, Anne-Caro started out racing BMX, took up downhill, dominated the emerging sports of 4x and dual slalom in their early years, and returned to BMX for the 2008 Olympics. Her career highlights fifteen Union Cycliste Internationale senior world championship rainbow jerseys, fourteen continental championships, and seven Mountain Bike World Cup championships.

She’s also the first ever BMX Olympic Gold Medalist, beating favourite Shanaze Read and 4x rider Jill Kintner to victory in the hotly contested final.

Click to watch the 2008 Beijing Olympic Womens Final

Anne-Caro rides for Vario bikes – she was on one of their BMXs for the Olympics. She has previously been with Commencal along with Rachel Atherton, to whom she passed on some of her riding knowledge.

Here’s a great interview with Anne-Caro by Descent World.

Click for link to Descent World interview

Descent World excerpt:

SF – What does it feel like being a pro female in a still male dominated sport?

AC – I’ve always been in male sport so I get used to it. Generally men are good looking and nice with us! The only bad point for a girl is to arrive at school with bruised legs and broken wrist too often!

SF – What do you see your role for other women as?

AC – I don’t know if I have a role in that. I was consistent for more than 10 years. No girls were really jumping that well back then. Now theres a lot more and more because you have no chance to win a race if you are not jumping the few jumps on the course. I always try to show that everywhere men are riding, a girls is also able to ride, even if it’s only slightly slower!

SF – How are you so damn good compared to other women? What is it you do? More training? Mental attitude? Are you fitter?

AC – Hard to tell. This year I have won some races thanks to my experience, it’s probably a little bit of everything!

Did we miss anything? Let us know and we can update this article.

Sources: Descent World,Oakley, good old wikipedia