Paris 2024 Olympic Games: “At the Games in France it will be the most beautiful race of the year, the race of a lifetime”, Victor Koretzky is already thinking about the Games

10e à Rio, 5e à Tokyo… Victor file vers ses 3e J.O. MICHAL CERVENY

Leader of the MTB World Cup after two events, Lodévois Victor Koretzky will be at the start of the French championship cross this Sunday, May 5. 

You gave yourself a little break at the start of a busy season ?

Yes, that’s it. After two World Cup rounds in Brazil where I finished 4th and 1st in the short track then twice 2nd in cross country I came home for a few days in Lodève before competing in the French championship this Sunday May 5 in Levens in the Alps -Maritimes. I will then come back to train here and then I will go to the Nove Mesto World Cup at the end of May. It’s important in a busy schedule to share moments with family to keep a good balance.

You are 29 years old today, you are married, dad. We have never felt so serene…

That’s true. I have gained maturity in a demanding discipline, where experience counts. I know myself better and better, which allows me to avoid mistakes, manage my preparation, and target my objectives. It’s a whole that allows you to perform at a high level. I also met the selection criteria at the end of 2023 for the Paris Olympics, even if the announcement of the two French representatives will not be made until June. It allows me to be freed, to save time and to concentrate on the objective.

July 29, on Élancourt hill in Yvelines ?

That’s it. On the course of the Olympic Games which I will approach without pressure but with enormous desire and determination. It's something I've been thinking about since Paris had the Games, even if, in mountain biking unlike other sports which live every four years with the Games, we are lucky to have lots of competitions around a world cup circuit and championships over a season. But there, at the Games in France, it will be the most beautiful race of the year, the race of a lifetime.

The Lodévois twice finished 2nd in the XCO cross of the first two World Cup rounds in Brazil. Midi Libre – Floris Fossey

This will already be your third JO…

Yes, I discovered them in Rio in 2016 at 21 years old. It was a special first experience and I didn't come far from the medal. It's nothing, a puncture. Like in 2021 where I finished very close, once again, to the medal. It was a special atmosphere, the site was far from Tokyo, we were in a bubble with Covid, I didn’t have the impression of being at the Games. It looked more like a World Cup event. This is so much experience acquired to be 100% on the big day.

We will also have to face tougher competition with "road drivers" Pidcock or Van Der Poel ?

I'm sure there will be more adversity but I'm prepared for it. I've already beaten them too. It raises the plateau but I don't put any additional pressure on myself. To perform, I will need to be at 100% and avoid mechanical glitches. I concentrate on my race.

With a start to the season that you already dominate?

Yes I am leader of the World Cup rankings in short track and XCO. It’s important but not essential for me, we must not get the wrong objective. This good start to the season allows me to see my feelings, validate my winter preparation and gain confidence.

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