![]() The Olympic title is still a goal, but it’s going to be difficult.”Īlso expressing his satisfaction was Switzerland's Rio 2016 Olympic champion Nino Schurter: “It’s a fun course. I knew I wasn't in the physical condition to finish in the top positions, but it’s good to have seen the course and the start too. Having recently been crowned road race champion at the World Championships in Glasgow, he has returned to mountain biking, finishing 28th at the test event. The Netherlands' Mathieu van der Poel was one of the most acclaimed riders at the test event. The men’s level is quite high so, yes, it’s a fight.” “Today the most important thing was to take information to work with in the future. Ranked sixth in the world, France's Joshua Dubau confirmed that assertion. No mountain biker would have refused victory in the test event, however, the main thing was to gather information in order to prepare for the next Olympic Games. Mathieu van der Poel: “I learned some interesting things” It corresponds to the sporting expectations of an Olympic event,” said Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet, who was delighted with the success of this test event. Overall, this track is already on a very good level. “It’s great to be here, to feel that positive energy. With around 3,000 people, the public was more than satisfied, with the Olympic venue buzzing twice in a row to the sounds of French anthem La Marseillaise, after the victories of local athletes Loana Lecomte and Victor Koretzky. “I really liked the part in the forest and having the opportunity to discover this course.” The upper part of the course is not the favourite of Dutch rider Puck Pieterse, the world number one and reigning European champion, although the athlete did admit to being charmed by the venue. ![]() Chants of "vamos", "come on" and "allez" alternated with the rhythms of the pedals of the riders. His mission today? “To set the mood, even without a microphone!” Quenia encouraged all the audience to cheer on the cyclists who, after climbing a hard hill, needed the support. Among them is Cyril Quenia, who has been involved in mountain biking for more than 30 years. “Dad, we can see the Eiffel Tower!” Indeed, La Dame de Fer is there to remind any observer that the test event is taking place only a few kilometres from the City of Light.Īmateurs who are enjoying a first taste of Olympic action and mountain bike specialists take advantage of the calm moments between two passages to exchange their opinions on the race. Comfortably seated on his father’s shoulders, a young fan stares at the horizon for a number of long minutes before exclaiming. "Vamos", "come on", "allez": Elancourt hill delivers an Olympic atmosphereĪt the very top of Elancourt hill, the crowd waits silently and nervously for the arrival of the athletes. How to qualify for mountain bike at Paris 2024.It’s the first time I’ve said that about an Olympic circuit, so it’s a pretty good sign.” When you walk along it, the circuit doesn’t seem very difficult, but after two bike rounds you realise that there are no real places to recover.” “It’s a course that needs you to be dynamic, to be present. The Team France rider finished third despite suffering with fatigue after a gruelling XXL season. "Everything is positive," added 2023 world champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot. It’s real mountain biking, whether downhill, uphill or in the transition phases. “It is a beautiful Olympic circuit that will evolve in the right direction. The reply was perhaps not a surprise after Lecomte won the women's race on Sunday. Her answer to our question about her favourite part of the course was delivered with a large smile: "Everything" she said. But for France’s Loana Lecomte, the silver medallist at the 2023 Glasgow World Championships, it has been a real pleasure to ride there. The 4.3km course was conceptualised by Nick Floros, who was also the mind behind the MTB courses for Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.Ī rolling, physical course, Elancourt hill will not suit all riders. When arriving at the venue, the first thing that strikes you is the immensity of the site, which is a real attraction in itself. Over time, it has become a place where nature has regained its rights. The course of the mountain bike event is located in Élancourt, in the city of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines.Įlancourt hill, the highest point of the Île-de-France region of Paris at 231 metres, is an old quarry. ![]() Pauline Ferrand-Prévot on the fast and physical course: "It's a circuit that suits me"
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