Mathilde Gros in sprint and Benjamin Thomas in endurance will be the leaders of the French team for the World Track Cycling Championships from August 3 to 9 in Glasgow, announced Florian Rousseau, director of the Olympic program on Sunday.
There are no surprises in the list for the last big meeting before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games where the French will want to shine on the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines velodrome, the city of departure on Sunday for the last stage of the Tour de France.
On this same track, France had finished in October third nation in the medal table of the Worlds-2022 with seven charms, including three in gold, by Mathilde Gros, in individual speed, Marie-Divine Kouamé, on 500 m, and the duo Benjamin Thomas and Donavan Grondin in the American.
For the first time in history, the World Championships will take place in an expanded format this summer. Dispersed as usual, the disciplines of cycling, mountain biking on the road via the track, BMX and disabled sports will thus be brought together in the same place and on the same dates, from August 3 to 13 in Scotland. These “Super Worlds” will now take place every four years, in the pre-Olympic year. In 2027, they will be organized in Haute-Savoie in an even larger format (19 disciplines).
The selection of the French track team
MEN’S ENDURANCE
Team pursuit: Thomas Denis, Corentin Ermenault, Quentin Lafargue, Valentin Tabellion, Benjamin Thomas
Individual pursuit: Corentin Ermenault
Scratch: Donavan Grondin
Elimination: Donavan Grondin
Points race: Donavan Grondin
Of all: Benjamin Thomas
American: Benjamin Thomas, Thomas Boudat
SPRINT MEN
Team Sprint: Florian Grengbo, Sébastien Vigier, Rayan Hélal
Sprint: Rayan Helal, Sebastien Vigier
Keirin men: Sebastien Vigier
Kilometer: Melvin Landerneau
WOMEN ENDURANCE
Team pursuit: Victoire Berteau, Marion Borras, Clara Copponi, Valentine Fortin, Marie Le Net
Individual Pursuit: Marion Borras
Scratch: Clara Copponi
Elimination: Valentine Fortin
Points race: Marion Borras or Marie Le Net
Of all: Valentine Fortin
American: Victoire Berteau, Clara Copponi
SPRINT WOMEN
Team Sprint: Mathilde Gros, Marie-Divine Kouamé, Julie Michaux
Individual Sprint: Mathilde Gros, Marie-Divine Kouamé, Julie Michaux
Keirin: Mathilde Gros, Marie-Divine Kouame
500m: Marie-Divine Kouame, Julie Michaux