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05/18 15:52 CDT Alise Willoughby of US, Joris Daudet of France win BMX racing
world titles ahead of Paris Olympics
Alise Willoughby of US, Joris Daudet of France win BMX racing world titles
ahead of Paris Olympics
By DAVE SKRETTA
AP Sports Writer
Alise Willoughby won her third BMX racing world championship on Saturday, the
American standout taking the lead out of the starting gate, pulling away down
the stretch and then throwing up her fist in triumph as she crossed over the
finish line.
Willoughby was followed by Zoe Claessens of Switzerland and U.S. teammate
Delany Vaughn, who also will be nominated for the American team that will head
to the Paris Olympics by finishing on the world championship podium.
"Honestly, I always say this place has a special place in my heart," said
Willoughby, who won her first world title in 2017 over the same course in Rock
Hill, South Carolina. "I wanted to deliver here --- the U.S. fans, U.S.-based
everything."
Felicia Stancil finished fourth in a strong showing by the Americans, who also
had Carly Kane in the finals.
In the men's race, Joris Daudet of France took the lead through the first
corner and held off reigning Olympic champion Niek Kimmann of the Netherlands
to win his third world title. French countryman Sylvain Andre was third.
Willoughby told The Associated Press before worlds that she valued her titles
on that stage just as much as she would value Olympic gold, which has so far
eluded her. Willoughby barely missed the Olympics in 2008 because of age
limits, crashed out in the semifinal round four years later in London, and
again crashed out in the semifinals three years ago in Tokyo.
Her only Olympic medal so far has been the silver that she took home from the
2016 Rio Games.
Now, Willoughby will get another opportunity at gold this July in Paris.
"It's such an honor to deliver on the day when you dream of it," said the
33-year-old Willoughby, who waved an American flag during her celebration
before finding her husband, coach and former BMX star Sam Willoughby and giving
him a big hug.
"You hope for it," she added, "but doing it is a whole other thing. So this
feeling is so special. My family, friends, coaches, husband --- they have been
with me this whole, long ride, and it continues, and I'm still rising to my
potential."
Reigning Olympic gold medalist Bethany Schriever of Britain and two-time
Olympic champ Mariana Pajon of Colombia crashed out of the semifinal round
Saturday. World Cup champion Saya Sakakibara of Australia finished eighth in
the finals.
In the men's final, Kimmann got out of the gate fastest, but Daudet had the
inside position and was able to get under him going through the first left-hand
turn. That forced Kimmann higher through the corner and he had to settle into
second place, and the two-time world champion was never able to catch up the
rest of the way.
Daudet, the 2011 and 2106 world champ, has been on the comeback from a February
crash that left him with a broken collarbone.
"I thought I could do it, of course," Daudet said, "but it's been a hard
beginning of the season. But I always believed the job was done, and every time
I line u pat the gate I know I can do it. It's amazing. I'm a bit speechless.
It's so many hours of work and dedication and it all comes down to one lap and
30 seconds, and it's pretty intense. What a day."
___
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https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
