Paralympics: the Blues shine during the Para Track Cycling Worlds

Less than six months before the Paris Paralympic Games, the French team recorded a good record at the Para Track Cycling Worlds which ended on Sunday in Rio, with 12 gold medals up for grabs.

In total, the Blues returned from Brazil with 19 podiums (12 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze), including four coronations for Alexandre Léauté alone, one of the favorites for the medal in Paris (August 28-September 8).

The 23-year-old Frenchman won in four categories (kilometer, pursuit, scratch and omnium) with a world record during the kilometer event.

“The world record was not originally planned but we took it, I am very happy, it shows that the form is there” reacted Léauté after his title with the French Handisport Federation.

Reigning Paralympic pursuit champion, he had already shone last year, during the “Super Worlds” in Glasgow - on the track and on the road - by winning five titles. The Blues had collected 37 medals for their part, including 13 gold.

Behind him, Dorian Foulon, 25, won three gold medals in his C5 category - he was born with a deformity in his left foot - in the pursuit, the scratch and the omniun.

Marie Patouillet, who opened the Blues' tally in Rio with silver in the 500m C5 on Wednesday, also has three medals, including two titles (scratch and omnium).

Kevin Le Cunff (15 km scratch), Gatien Le Rousseau (omnium) and the young Heïdi Gaugain (pursuit), were also crowned.