The atmosphere has not weakened after four days of non-stop competition in the Brittany velodrome. The public is always boiling hot, especially when the black and white jerseys of Brittany compete for a title or a medal.
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And it started rather well this Saturday afternoon with the title for the Bretons in the U 19 team speed. Even if it was acquired on the green carpet since the other finalist team, Reunion, was disqualified following two false starts. It should still be noted that the Bretons had previously set the best time in qualifying. “We had two European champions (Oliviéro et Favennec) in the team and we integrated two cadets (Cushway et Belhadj)one in the morning in qualifying and the other in the final, a good mix” appreciated coach Yann Le Normand, despite this truncated final.
“We are in a country of bicycles”
Second before the final of the U19 Open, Luc Royer was not able to maintain his position. He finished at the foot of the podium. Pierre Le Bourhis did better among the U 17s by snatching the silver medal in the points race.
What can we say about Ilona Rouat who fought like hell in the final of the U 17 Open. But she had to settle for a bitter sixth place which did not correspond to what she had come to look for in these championships at home.
At the end of the day, the 500m U 17 raised the temperature again. Credited with a great time, Pierre le Bourhis, again, saw himself dethroned by the Ligerien Tilio Pichon, the only one to go under 34 seconds, and incidentally already titled in speed. The Breton will finally finish at the foot of the podium.
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To close this long and exhausting day, the tireless Zoé Bihan, on track for a fourth scratch title, saw victory snatched at the wire by Dorine Monnier from Normandy.
“Seven junior medalists, almost the entire squad, it’s excellentsays Yann Le Normand. Of course, we had selected medal-worthy runners, but we see that playing at home is a plus with a crazy crowd. We also feel that we are in a cycling country where young and old alike live their passion in the same way. »
The results of the day
U17-U19 team speed: 1. Brittany (Étienne Oliviéro, Tristan Favennec; Rafe Cushway, Nahel Belhadje); 2. Reunion; 3. Martinique.
U17 men’s points race. 1. Alan Mareau (Pays de la Loire); 2. P. Le Bourhis (Brittany); 3. B. Pons (Île de France)
All U19 men. 1. Eliande Larronde (New Aquitaine); 2. C. Charret (Auvergne Rhône Alpes); 3. A. Brissaire (Centre Val de Loire)
Women’s U19 Open. Léane Tabu (Centre Val de Loire); 2. V. Demay (Auvergne Rhône Alpes); 3. M. Dupin (New Aquitaine).
500 m standing start. 1. Tilion Pichon (Pays de la Loire); 2. J. Merlin (Auvergne Rhône Alpes); 3. Mr. Henriette (Reunion).
