Win a Keirinprint competition in your own village: Olympic champion Harrie Lavreysen did it on Monday evening in Luyksgestel. The track cyclist gave his fellow villagers where they hoped, although it didn’t happen automatically. His biggest competitor Matthew Richardson was also at the start.
“There are many acquaintances here, very nice,” said Lavreysen, who with five Olympic titles is the most successful participant of the Olympic Summer Games. “Of course I drive all year round in all kinds of places, but to be able to ride in Luyksgestel in the Dorpstraat, is very special to me.”
The fact that his international rival Richardson also participated, gave the event extra shine. “He has made it very difficult for me in recent years,” said Lavreysen. The Australian Richardson is now playing for Great Britain. “If someone makes it difficult for me, it’s he.” Lavreysen won five titles in Paris, where Richardson finished second. Yet he does not just expect to be the parent again. “We’re going to see it, I’m really going to make a sprint of it.”
No road bike
Richardson was struggling with a problem: he didn’t have any road bike. He received it from the organization. “I did a few sprints yesterday, but I haven’t driven much on it yet. We’ll see how it goes. I have come here to win, drive fast. Harrie too. We’ll see who is better in shape.”
Richardson won the first sprint in the final, but Lavreysen hit back in the second and decisive round. With that he took the victory. Jeffrey Hoogland finished second in the final classification, Richardson finished third.
Proud
“Really cool,” said Lavreysen afterwards. He underestimated the first corner, but not in the second race. Total speed? 71.1. He has never gone through the street at such a speed. “Then you get a fine,” the track cyclist jokes. He likes that Richardson has seen his native village. “He said he liked it where I grew up.”
Among the audience was particularly proud. A female viewer likes to see that the village organized this competition. “I am really proud. It is our Harrie and it remains our Harrie.” She has known him since his younger years. “I still had Harrie in the playgroup and then he was already good at one bicycle. “