A marriage of fries, beer, MNM and the VDB family: who is Belgian champion Marion Norbert Riberolle?

Her name had already been filled in in pencil – especially due to Laura Verdonschot’s injuries – and Marion Norbert Riberolle did not disappoint in Zolder. But who is the 26-year-old naturalized Frenchwoman with a U23 world title to her name? “She has to do better and she can do that,” said the new Belgian champion.

A rainbow jersey, a French championship shirt and now a Belgian tricolor. At the age of 26, Marion Norbert Riberolle has a diverse and, thanks to her naturalization, unique trophy cabinet.

In 2020, Norbert Riberolle became French champion among the professionals, but at the World Cup in Dübendorf she would join the promises that year. With success: Norbert Riberolle defeated Kata Blanka Vas, among others.

A new French star seemed to be born, but after her breakthrough she opted for Belgian nationality a year later at the age of 22. Norbert Riberolle, born in Troyes, spoke at the time of a “professional and personal plan” to explain her new identity card.

“For fries and Jupiler”, laughed Norbert Riberolle after the Belgian Championship in our studio. “A few weeks ago I gave that answer in a video from a sponsor to the question why I wanted to become Belgian.”

“No, it was better for my life on and off the bike. Thanks to Sanne (Cant), I also started racing myself.”

The new champion already lived in Belgium as a child. Norbert Riberolle – she owes her double surname to her parents – then returned to France, but she labels her homeland as “too chauvinistic”.

Since 2018, she first lived in Dottenijs, now she lives in Mouscron. She is also a regular at home with the Vandenbroucke family in Ploegsteert.

“My sister goes to school in Tournai and Dottenijs and that is good for her. Mouscron is also nice, close to the French border. In the summer I can quickly visit my family in France.”

Marion fits in very well with the group. She is very enthusiastic and optimistic. I would have liked to have her there.

ex-national coach Sven Vanthourenhout

Norbert Riberolle does not hide her love for Belgium. “You are so sweet and hospitable. You always want to help and breathe course,” she said a while ago.

And she always shares her story in excellent Dutch. “But it’s not easy, is it,” she chuckled in Zolder.

However, she has been insisting for years on being addressed in Dutch in the interview zone. She also eagerly roared along to the Brabançonne on Saturday – in Dutch. Thanks to evening lessons and listening pleasure at radio station MNM.

“Even at the championships, she wanted the Belgian staff to always consult with her in Dutch,” confirmed former national coach Sven Vanthourenhout. “That’s a credit to her.”

Vanthourenhout characterizes her as “someone who always laughs and is positive”. “Marion fits in very well with the group. She is very enthusiastic and optimistic. I would have liked to have her there.”

After her breakthrough year of 2020, confirmation took several years, especially with the Belgian flag behind her name. “I am not very satisfied with her in recent years,” said Paul Herygers in his analysis after the Belgian Championship.

“A few years ago she came 3rd in a French World Cup cross in a high-quality field of participants. After that she stagnated a bit. I never saw those performances from her again.”

“Marion is one for the mud and there are many such crosses. She has to improve and she can do better. She is motivated. So it will work out.”

“In fact, she should not finish outside the top 10 in any World Cup. And yet that happens. There is still a bit of work to be done, but she will be well supported.”

“In terms of commitment and character, I give her a 10 out of 10 anyway. At some point it will fall into place.”

Norbert Riberolle is a powerful rider. Can she also perform well on the road? “She is not the rider who will quickly emerge in the classics, but that is not necessary,” estimates the ex-national coach.

My U23 world title was fantastic, but I still can’t believe this.

Marion Norbert Riberolle

Ask Norbert Riberolle herself where the shoe has pinched so far and she will not hesitate for long. It was also a prize at the Belgian Championships. “Every weekend I have misery at the start. Apparently that’s part of me,” she grinned.

“But my team warned me that I must remain calm,” said the driven winner, who does not hide the fact that she is a stress person and “an impatient type”.

Breaking open the gate was not entirely possible after 2020 due to a rift with her coach and personal problems. “I even thought about quitting then.” Her competition weight was also a sensitive matter.

But maybe she was liberated after Zolder? “My U23 world title was great, but I still can’t believe this.”

“Have I also left for 15 titles? I’m already 26 years old, right? So I’m too old for such a series.”

But first – as she said in her first response – there is time for a Belgian party with fries tonight. “That will happen in Mouscron. My friend works until 10 p.m. I don’t think there will be much sleep.”