Since the beginning of November, the Track Cycling Champions League seems to bring a breath of fresh air to the sport. Speed, distinctive jerseys, light shows, really everything is in place to make the athletes feel like real stars.
Thanks to her performances of the last year, Lauriane Genest is one of the cyclists who has the chance to experience the inaugural season of the Champions League. The Lévisienne admits that she really enjoys these new trials which take her out of her comfort zone.
” It’s really good ! It’s difficult, because it’s a competition format made for television, we don’t have a lot of time between races, there is no downtime. We do the sprints with three people instead of two and there are some differences in keirin too. The atmosphere is really boosted, ”she admitted, in an interview with Sportcom.
Genest hopes that this new competition can breathe new life into its sport. A television contract also links the Champions League with the European channel Eurosport until 2029, which bodes well for the sustainability of the competition.
“I think the television really believes in this project. It’s the first year, we feel that there are a lot of people watching and starting to take an interest in our sport. I am sure that track cycling will grow in a few years. ”
In addition to appreciating the format of the events, Lauriane Genest is enjoying success on the track. Ninth after the first stage in Palma, the 23-year-old had a superb day in Panevézys, Lithuania, last weekend. She then reached the final in the sprint, where she was beaten by the five-time world champion in the individual events, Germany’s Emma Hinze.
“I was happy with how it went until the very end. It’s my first final at the international level and it’s cool to do it in the Champions League because of the atmosphere and the fans. ”
By virtue of this good performance, Lauriane Genest made a good four places in the provisional general classification of the women’s sprint events. She finds herself fifth, notably behind the Germans Hinze and Lea Friedrich, as well as her compatriot Kelsey Mitchell.
“I hadn’t made any points in the sprint in Spain, a few in the keirin, but things went really well in Lithuania. I would love to be at the top of the standings to walk in the spotlight with the leader’s jersey, ”she concluded dreamily.
Lauriane Genest and Madelinot Hugo Barrette will be in London, Great Britain, for the presentation of the next two rounds of the Champions League which will be held on Friday and Saturday.