A seventh sprint world title, twenty rainbow jerseys in total, and for the first time a quartet of world titles: Harrie Lavreysen was already a phenomenon on the track, but on Sunday, the 28-year-old rider made even more cycling history on the final day of the Track Cycling World Championships. Afterward, Lavreysen was, of course, overjoyed.
"This is really not normal. I said beforehand that it would be exciting, with the kilo time trial already in my legs, but today I really felt super again," Lavreysen began his account after the race with NOS. "I got through the semifinals well and had a lot of confidence in my legs. I have watched many races. It seemed difficult to make a move here, but it was possible. I prepared very well and was able to execute it."
Lavreysen had to face his great rival Matthew Richardson in the final, but the Brit clearly had to acknowledge the sprint king of recent years. "Over 200 meters, he (referring to Richardson, ed.) is definitely the fastest, but sprinting is a different story. This one is nice. I am winning my fourth gold here, but the individual sprint is the queen event. It's still amazing when you come onto the track knowing: I can beat everyone, I can defeat anyone. That's pure enjoyment."
Lavreysen in archive footage - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
The fact that Lavreysen bested Richardson in the final makes his seventh sprint title even more special. "It's great, it definitely challenges me. I have really paid attention to it, and you think about it during your training. It's nice, and that makes this title a lot more beautiful."
From dream to reality
For the first time in Lavreysen’s career, he has secured a golden quartet (world titles in team sprint, individual sprint, kilo time trial, and keirin). "It’s truly indescribable. I had a little dream to go for four. It was kind of the goal last year, but honestly, I didn’t expect it to be possible this year."
"This year, in terms of preparation, I couldn’t do what I did last year. I didn’t come into this Worlds thinking: this is going to happen. But I kept it a little bit in the back of my mind."
photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
UCI Cycling World Championships - Track (Sprint)| Rank | Rider | Time |
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