Dutch cyclist Harrie Lavreysen made history on Friday by winning the men's one-kilometer time trial, securing his 15th world championship track title. This achievement came just two days after he claimed gold in the team sprint event, showcasing his dominance on the track. Lavreysen finished ahead of his fellow countryman and three-time defending champion, Jeffrey Hoogland, while Britain's Joseph Truman rounded out the podium with a bronze medal.
With this latest victory, Lavreysen surpasses France's Arnaud Tournant, who held the previous record of 14 world titles from 1997 to 2008. Reflecting on his accomplishment, Lavreysen expressed his disbelief, stating, "Fifteen titles, I don't even know what to say. There are so many prestigious names on this list; it's completely crazy." He noted that this was his first time competing in the kilometer event at this level, making the win even more special.
The 27-year-old cyclist has the opportunity to further increase his medal count, as he is set to compete in the individual sprint event on Sunday, where he is the reigning champion for five consecutive years. Although Lavreysen did not medal in the keirin event on Thursday, his previous successes have established him as a formidable competitor in track cycling.
Rival French cyclist Sebastien Vigier acknowledged Lavreysen's potential for future victories, suggesting that he could reach close to 30 world titles if he continues competing at his current level for the next five or six years. Vigier praised Lavreysen not only for his achievements but also for his humble demeanor, stating, "He is really cool and calm. He does not have a big head," while adding that Lavreysen is known to enjoy himself after competitions. In another significant achievement, Italy's Jonathan Milan won the men's individual pursuit title with a world record time of 3:59.153, defeating young British rider Josh Charlton, who had previously broken the record during qualifying.
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