With four world titles, Harrie Lavreysen showed again last year that he is an absolute great in track cycling. However, the 28-year-old Luyksgestel native has doubts about the European Championships that start on Sunday in Konya, Turkey. “I’m a little worried if it will be enough.”
Lavreysen was named Sportsman of the Year at the end of 2025, partly because of his four historic world titles a few months earlier. He has not had a long rest period, because this week the European Championships await in Turkey. “I think the tournament is coming up quickly in 2025. My preparation is not great, but I would like to ride. It is the last tournament that does not count for the Olympic Games and that is noticeable. I am a bit more relaxed about it.”
“It’s not my plan to peak too early.”
In Konya he participates in the individual sprint, the team sprint and the keirin. He will skip the kilometer time trial for the time being. “That is the least fun part for me, I prefer to focus on the other three. It is not my ambition to score as many titles as possible, so I don’t get on the bike for that.”
He is aiming for the podium with the team, Lavreysen finds it difficult to make a prediction for the keirin and the individual sprint is the main event for him. In this, he will have to deal with his major competitor Matthew Richardson. The born Englishman recently exchanged Australia, the country where he grew up, for Great Britain.
“The World Cup is the most important, this European Championship is slightly less prominent on the calendar. My top form is not yet there, because it is not my plan to peak too early,” says Lavreysen. “I am curious to know what fighting strength Richardson is. He will be very keen on his first European Championship. His top speed is slightly higher than mine, but I have shown that I can beat him. Maybe he will now play tricks because it was not enough last time. And of course there are more good competitors.”
“It gives me energy, the record is alive.”
When the name Richardson comes up, it passes the world record flying start in the 200 meter sprint. The Briton broke Lavreysen’s record. “I don’t think I can get that back this year, I haven’t trained enough for that. 2027 seems like a good year to attack the record, I still have to make a good plan for that. Then I will work towards my Olympic Games-shape and I can continue that line. It gives me energy, the record is alive within the sport.”
The record attempt must then take place in Konya, the fast track where he will make his debut next week. “For example, I can go to a country like Mexico, but Richardson has also done it here. Although he did so in a different period when it was warmer. For me, the European Championships immediately feel like an exploration of the track.”
