In mountain biking, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot dominates unchallenged and wins the gold medal – Libération

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Widening the gap with the rest of the riders from the second lap, the Frenchwoman dominated the event this Sunday, July 28. Loana Lecomte, another Frenchwoman who was nevertheless well on her way to joining her on the podium, was forced to abandon after a fall.

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At the top of the Elancourt hill (Yvelines), the highest point in the Ile-de-France region (231 metres), a champion has risen to the rank of queen of her discipline. In this green setting, which emerged from the ruins of a waste disposal site and nicknamed the “hill of revenge”, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, 32, has taken hers. After her three disappointments in London (26th), Rio (forfeit) and Tokyo (10th), the ambitions of the reigning triple world mountain bike champion were immense in Paris. “This is the event of my life”, she said on Friday 26 July.

Throughout her race, dominated without sharing, she was able to count on the support of the French public who came in large numbers to encourage her. Even before the start of the event, they only had eyes for her. “I’m coming to watch Pauline Ferrand-Prévot win her first gold medal,” predicted a father from Nantes who came with his two daughters. The mountain bike places were among the least expensive at the Olympic Games, and while we saw a few Dutch and Americans, it was the French, curious or cycling enthusiasts, who were by far the most numerous supporters in Elancourt.

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