Slightly stung by Richardson, Harrie Lavreysen delivers an incredible interview after his 20th world title
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Follow us on GoogleHarrie Lavreysen, such a phenomenon. The Dutchman, still only 28, won four world titles in Santiago, Chile, bringing his total to 20 (!) World Championship gold medals. Add to that five Olympic titles and 14 European Championship titles, and you have no more questions to ask him. Han Kock of the NOS managed, after winning gold in the Sprint, to get an excellent interview out of Lavreysen.
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Lavreysen started the World Championships on Thursday with gold in the Team Sprint, and a day later, he scored in the Keirin. According to him, it was the key title, as he had not always been the best in the Keirin in recent years. After gold in the Kilometer on Saturday, the Sprint was on the program on Sunday, the event against his main challenger, Matthew Richardson.
The Brit did not compete on Saturday and was therefore eager and fresh at the start. He set the fastest qualifying time and, like Lavreysen, cruised through the tournament. “I said yesterday after the Kilometer that it would be exciting in the Sprint, but I felt really great again today. I got through the semifinals well and had a lot of confidence in my legs,” Lavreysen said about his run-up.
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The World Championships started for Lavreysen with gold in the Team Sprint
Lavreysen took time for Sprint event despite packed schedule
Despite having to take to the track every day for a different event, Lavreysen managed to prepare himself thoroughly for the Sprint on Sunday. “I watched a lot of races, and although it was difficult to overtake, I thought I could do it. I prepared thoroughly and executed it. It worked.”
Four World Championship titles, something no one had ever done before. “I had a little dream of going for four, something I actually wanted to do last year. But I really didn't think it was possible, not at all. I wasn't able to do this year what I did in 2024, so I didn't go there with the idea that we were just going to do it. Nevertheless, it remained a small goal and somehow it worked out.”
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Richardson motivated Lavreysen for new title(s)
The fact that he had to compete against Richardson in the Sprint final was a bonus. Earlier this year, the Brit broke Lavreysen's world record in the 200 meters. “He's definitely the fastest in the 200 meters, but sprinting is a different story,” the Dutchman smiled meaningfully. “This one feels good. I'm winning my fourth gold, but the Sprint is the top event.”
“It's wonderful to get on the track knowing that you're going to beat everyone and that you can take on anyone. That's what I enjoy,” he continued jubilantly. Because in recent months, Lavreysen had really seen and heard the rise of Richardson. “I like it, it challenges me. I don't know if I need it, but it really keeps me busy.”
Richardson's statements startled Lavreysen, according to Hugo Haak
Questions about whether his dominance was coming to an end, Richardson proving he was getting faster and faster... It only motivated Lavreysen. “I paid attention to it, and you think about it during training. So it works, and it only makes this title even more beautiful. How do I keep this up? I enjoy it, the process, riding those sprints, watching other races... It's just beautiful!”
National coach Hugo Haak watched Lavreysen's World Championship with great admiration on NOS. He called the 20 world titles “absolutely insane.” About the enthusiastic and outspoken Richardson, Haak said: “It woke him up. Harrie is a very athletic person and enjoys it. He can use it for a World Championship like this, and you can see that now. It was just fuel to the fire.”
Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
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