After winning everything (European and world champion) in the Junior category last year, we thought that Célia Gery would take a little time to adapt to the higher level and to confirm his immense talent for his first season in Espoirs. But the Ardéchoise is an extraordinary champion and proved it again this Sunday by winning the U23 European title on the Spanish circuit of Pontevedra, to only 18 years old! A first for a French woman since the appearance of this category on the continental scene in 2015, and the first Gold medal for the French team in these European Cyclo-cross Championships 2024 after the silver obtained the day before in mixed relay, already under the impetus of a Célia Géry dazzling.
Video – After the U19 European title, the U23 coronation for Célia Géry!
Junior Double – Hopes: Célia Gery imitates Puck Pieterse
The future runner of the FDJ-SUEZ is accompanied on the podium by the Luxembourgish Marie Schreiber (21 years old) – already in silver in 2023 – and the Dutch Leonie Bentveld (20 years), however elderly three and two years older than her! A trio which broke away from the first lap of the circuit and then went to war over the remaining five, without managing to make a difference. It was therefore in the sprint and the finish that the Tricolore went to get this new European champion jersey, maneuvering perfectly and with impressive maturity in the final to show its burst of speed and settle its two rivals, yet much more seasoned in U23 and even Elite games.
With this European double, Célia Gery achieves a feat only achieved by the Dutch Puck Pieterse straddling 2019 and 2020. The only runner to have been able to hang on to the leading trio for a time, the Czech Kristyna Zemanova finally finished 4th at 1'22″. Another Frenchwoman took her place in the top 10, Amandine Muller took a nice 8th place at 2'26″.
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