Media365 editorial staff, published on Friday, December 31, 2021 at 8 a.m.
The year 2021 has been rich in sporting events. Sports stars, French or foreign, have impressed or disappointed us. On December 31, the editorial team is delivering its French Top 5 for 2021 (excluding football).
N ° 1: Team sports at the top
It was not, however, particularly intended to be the most beautiful Games in the history of French team sports. If the boys in basketball surprise by dominating the United States, the girls immediately fall against Japan, while their handball counterparts lose two of their first four games – only the boys, like in basketball, will succeed. entry a full box – and that the volleyball players bow to them on two of their first three outings. And then, the miracle will be indeed global: the basketball players finish by a hair in the two best thirds, in spite of a last defeat against the Americans; the handball players win a real round of 16 against Brazil; the volleyball players, beaten by Brazil, nevertheless take the necessary set to pass as well. Everyone knows the rest and this fivefold orgy of medals … Impossible to blame the French basketball teams, especially the boys, for not having brought back the title – unlike hand and volleyball, winner of this incredible 3-2 final against Russia for the last of the coach Laurent Tillie -, their sport remaining the prerogative of a single country as is not the case in any other Olympic discipline of its kind. Vincent Collet’s men even held high at Team USA by failing only five small points in the final (87-82).
N ° 2: Quartararo writes history
After a 2019 season of learning in the premier category and then the frustration born of a missed end of the year 2020, Fabio Quartararo knew how to put everything together to become number 1. In 2021, “El Diablo” wrote the most beautiful page in the history of French motorcycling which, after winning many titles in different categories, finally holds its first MotoGP world champion. Barely arrived in the fold of the official Yamaha team, the Niçois gained the ascendancy over his teammate Maverick Viñales, who preferred to leave in the middle of the season, and over all of his opponents. With victories in the Doha Grand Prix and then in Portugal, Fabio Quartararo took the lead in the championship never to give up. Even a syndrome of the boxes during the Spanish Grand Prix could not slow down the French driver. On the podium at home then victorious in Italy, on a Mugello circuit not favorable to the qualities of his machine, “El Diablo” consolidated his hold on the championship with a victory in Assen then a demonstration at Silverstone, giving an almost fatal blow to the morale of his opponents. If the end of the season established Francesco Bagnaia as his main rival, Fabio Quartararo did better than manage before savoring his title with two races to go after the Italian fell in the Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna. From now on, the French will have to confirm while Ducati is upgrading its weapons to respond to him next season.
N ° 3: Pinturault, Alphand’s successor
France has been waiting for this for twenty-four years! Since Luc Alphand in 1997, no French skier has managed to win the big crystal globe. On the podium of the general classification of the World Cup five times since 2014, Alexis Pinturault has finally won the Grail in 2021. While he would undoubtedly have been crowned in 2020 if the coronavirus pandemic had not interrupted the season earlier than expected and offered the globe to Norwegian Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, the 30-year-old skier has finally been rewarded for his consistency. In the 2020-21 season, Alexis Pinturault won four giants and one parallel event and finished third in three slaloms and one giant. Winner of the Giant’s World Cup and seventh in that of the slalom, the Frenchman also more than limited the damage in Super-G, with four places in the Top 15. He did not take part in any downhill, however, preferring to not waste too much energy to last until the end of the season in this race for the crystal globe. In the end, he finished with 167 points ahead of the Swiss Marco Odermatt and 446 over the Austrian Marco Schwarz. To top it off, he added, at the Cortina d’Ampezzo World Championships, two world medals to his collection, which already had four: bronze in Super-G and silver in combined. He would no doubt have dreamed of gold, but crystal is enough for his happiness! Gold, he hopes to bring it back in 2022 during the Beijing Olympics …
N ° 4: The XV of France, Toulouse, Dupont …, French rugby is back!
As in the good old days, French rugby has regained its former glory. During the 6 Nations Tournament first with a thrilling campaign allowing the XV of France to play the title until the last day. The course was notably marked by the first French victory in Ireland for ten years (13-15) and by the success enhanced at home in additional time against Wales who came to play the Grand Slam at the Stade de France (32-30 ). Finally the Blues failed in a second place as disappointing as it was encouraging. The hopes emerging from this warm winter gave birth to a wonderful summer. Then to a radiant autumn. On tour in Australia in July, a XV of France rejuvenated by Fabien Galthié held high for the Wallabies during two test-matches and won one brilliantly, the first on the island-continent for 31 years! The confirmation of this euphoria with the return of the executives took place in November with a fabulous 3/3, completed in apotheosis thanks to the first victory against New Zealand since 2009. The largest in the history of the Blues against the All Blacks (40-15). This very attractive face of French rugby shines on all levels. As an individual to begin with. Scrum-half Antoine Dupont received the award for best player in the world awarded by World Rugby, like his coach in 2002 and Thierry Dusautoir in 2009. A logical title, rewarding the former’s dream year Castres. His monstrous physical qualities and his vision have greatly contributed to guiding the Stade Toulousain towards a historic double as in 1996, Top 14 – Champions Cup, making the club of the Pink City, the most successful team in France and Europe. Les Rouge et Noir have lifted the Brennus Shield 21 times and the European Cup five times. In 2021 Fabien Galthié and the French clubs seem to have rediscovered their legendary “French flair”, as long as it lasts …
N ° 5: Alaphilippe, the incredible double!
He (re) did it! Almost a year to the day after being crowned world champion on the track of the famous Imola racing circuit (Italy), Julian Alaphilippe did it again in Belgium on September 26, again ahead of the competition to win his second jersey in Leuven. consecutive rainbow! The Habs had a lot to do, however, especially against the armada from beyond Quiévrain led by Wout Van Aert. But like the others, the Belgians, at home, had to admit defeat in front of Thomas Voeckler’s men. Because the tactic, daring, set up by the French coach has again borne fruit, all the rivals of the Blues giving way one by one against the banderillas of Alaphilippe, but also of Benoît Cosnefroy, Anthony Turgis, Christophe Laporte, Arnaud Démare or again Valentin Madouas, so many runners who gave everything for their leader. And it paid off. Because the last attack, placed by Alaphilippe himself a little over 17 kilometers from the finish, was the right one for the native of Saint-Amand-Montrond, who would win ahead of the Dutchman Dylan van Baarle and the Danish Michael Valgren. The one who undoubtedly best embodies the panache in current cycling will have even managed to turn the Belgian public, after being insulted along a course where he will also have had to avoid the beer throws. Not resentful, the rider of the Deceuninck- Quick Step would then commune with the local fans on the podium of these world championships. Yet another proof that Julian Alaphilippe is definitely an exceptional champion, he who will have won the Walloon Flèche in 2021, as well as his sixth stage victory in the Tour de France, where he once again wore the yellow jersey. Without making it (yet?) A goal of his season …
