Remember when you met the BMX athletes in the Montichiari velodrome and talking to their coach Tommasi Lupi it turned out that in Holland the track sprinters came from that kind of base? Well, the confirmation came at the recent World Championships in Roubaix, where Harrie Lavreysen took home two gold medals to add to his two TokyoImpressive with his drive, explosiveness and physical structure.
BMX star
Before putting on the track suit and the aerodynamic helmet, in fact, The 24-year-old Dutchman has made a name for himself in BMX. He was a three-time European Junior Champion between 2011 and 2013., the boy would certainly have had a bright career ahead of him, Even though he practiced a discipline subject to falls, his condition often fluctuated between ups and downs, ins and outs of the hospital. Until 2014, he put a stop to it.
«I was back to my best level – he said – and I was doing great, but I dislocated both shoulders».
It seems that they were the same doctors who had been treating him for years suggested he change sports. And so Harrie chose to train on the Papendal track, in the center of the country.
"Was very strange to go from BMX professional to track amateur – he said – I didn't know what I was doing and I felt ridiculous."
Quick trigger
Yet, to confirm the fact that the two paths can be complementary, the fruits of the change began to be seen almost immediatelyIn 2015, the 1,81m tall boy reached his ideal weight of 92 kilos, he immediately won the national team speed championshipThe first international gold came three years later and from that moment on it started an undisputed dominance in the speed disciplines.
Holder of the world team sprint title since 2018, Harrie also distinguished himself individually: in sprint (2019, 2020, 2021) and in keirin (2020, 2021)In Tokyo, the Dutchman almost scored another hat-trick, fAllendo in the keirin (bronze), surprised by Jason Kenny.
A rivalry to be envied
Lavreysen isn't alone. The same thing happens every time. His two teammates on the Dutch team sprint, Jeffrey Hoogland and Harrie Lavreysen become bitter rivals when it comes to individual events.And if one of the two isn't first at the finish line, there's a good chance the gold will be around the other's neck.
As in Roubaix, where Lavreysen, winner of the keirin and sprint, had his more experienced teammate behind him every time. But this rivalry is not unhealthyThe two Dutchmen always share the same hotel room before big races, having fun, watching films together and cheering each other up.
«I train with the best in the world – Hoogland explained before the Olympics – I think every rider would be envious».
In Tokyo only Kenny beat him in the Keirin and Firdaus Sahrom (Malaysia) also did better than him. On the podium in Roubaix, in addition to the two Dutchmen, also the Frenchman Vigier, on the right
In Tokyo only Kenny beat him in the Keirin and Firdaus Sahrom (Malaysia) also did better than him. On the podium in Roubaix, in addition to the two Dutchmen, also the Frenchman Vigier, on the right
A hard worker
When Lavreysen isn't on the bike, he's in the weight room and vice versa. Now completely dedicated to the track, The six-time world champion is constantly searching for strengthIn 2015, injured, he sent a very evocative message to his athletic trainer, Christian Bosse.
"I had surgery yesterday," she wrote. "I'll be leaving the hospital tomorrow, and I want to train within two days at the latest. I can't use my arms. Can you still give me a program?"
In addition to physical sessions, Harrie Lavreysen spends long hours in front of the screen, analyzing his performances and those of his future opponents.
«I also like to know the characteristics of the track I will be racing on – he explained – I take care of all the details before going anywhere».
For Ivan Quaranta, who is said to be in charge of the speed sector under the eye of Marco Villa, the reference is impressive, but in some ways the journey from BMX to track could point the way to achieving something concrete while waiting for the young talent to emerge. In Holland, they've understood this for years; here, we all have to roll up our sleeves.
