Jordan Sarrou's first pedal strokes on the Izu circuit gave him a great fright.
As he scouted the course, the reigning cross-country world champion stuck his front wheel in rocks placed in a technical downhill pass, and fell, literally diving to the ground headfirst.
His bike then fell on him but the Frenchman obviously did not hit other stones.
A big fall immortalized by Thomas Frischknecht, former Swiss mountain biker, who published it in his story on Instagram.
“It is consistent to say that this track is very difficult, because even the world champion is struggling,” he then commented.
Big scare for Jordan Sarrou during the recognition of the #JOTokyo mountain bike circuit in Izu
Video Instagram @ThomasFrischCH pic.twitter.com/eopk2M22dN
- Benjamin Steen (@benjaminsteen) July 24, 2021
Contender for the podium of the race scheduled for Monday
According to those around him, "the fall will have no consequences, a few bruises but nothing serious".
The cyclist was able to get back on his bike without much difficulty, and continue to explore the course.
His equipment was apparently not damaged.
Jordan Sarrou is one of the favorites for the Olympic race, scheduled for Monday July 26 at 8 a.m. French time.
He will be accompanied by another Frenchman, Victor Koretzky.
Their female compatriots, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Loana Lecomte, also among the contenders for the podium, will start the next morning.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Vɪᴄᴛᴏʀ Kᴏʀᴇᴛᴢᴋʏ (@victor_koretzky)