Frenchwoman Célia Gery became junior cyclo-cross world champion on Saturday in Tabor, Czech Republic, where she beat Briton Cat Ferguson and Slovakian Viktoria Chladonova after 10 km of racing.
The three runners quickly isolated themselves at the front and Célia Gery, very comfortable in the technical parts, placed her victorious acceleration 800 m from the line.
Winner of the World Cup this season, the runner from VC Rambertois (Drôme) confirmed her status as favorite and offered France a first coronation in this category.
“I was undoubtedly the freshest in the last meters”
“It makes things even more special,” she explained at the microphone of the International Cycling Union (UCI).
Physically, I wasn't great in the muddy sections during the first two (of three) laps.
But I was undoubtedly the freshest in the last meters,” she added.
With 12 successes in 16 appearances this winter in the plowed, the 18-year-old cyclist dominated the season.
This success achieved on Saturday comes in addition to France's victory on Friday in the mixed relay, in which she also participated with Rémi Lelandais, Martin Groslambert, Lauriane Duraffourg, Hélène Clauzel and Aubin Sparfel.
Among the elites, the women's race will take place this Saturday at 2:30 p.m., while the men will compete for the world crown on Sunday at the same time.
In the absence of his rivals Wout van Aert and Tom Pidcock, the Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel is the huge favorite for this race.
He will still have to be wary of his compatriots Lars van der Haar and Joris Nieuwenhuis and the Belgian armada, with Eli Iserbyt at its head.