That’s it, French mountain bike fans have chosen their new darling. This Sunday afternoon, in the Gets station (Haute-Savoie), only one name was on everyone’s lips. That of Luca Martin. And for good reason, this young Frenchman of only 23 years old imposed himself on the test of Cross-Country Elite Men.
Already haloed by the title of French champion and world champion U23 just eleven months ago in Andorra, this is the first time that this discipline specialist has been during a World Cup event. And to add to his drunkenness and his pride, he signed a victory at home in front of an audience in total admiration.
Under a great sun, who came to dry the lumpy tracks, the cross-country course quickly turned into an enormous open-air anthill. On the mountain front, the spectators moved in all directions, from one place to another, with the ambition of not missing any of the passages of their tricolor champion. And especially in the most raised and therefore the most impressive turns.
The presence of Star Mathieu van der Poel, who participated to prepare for the World Swiss Worlds in mid-September, could have been an obstacle to this excitement around Luca Martin. But that was not at all the case. All eyes were turned to the blue, white, red jersey dominated the stage in the first round. However, the Dutchman, who left far from the fourth line, has made an impressive race by going up his opponents one by one before winning 6th place. To believe that nothing could have shaded the new darling of the French intended to shine this Sunday.
“I still have a hard time realizing”
At the end of a long and crazy race and a controlled effort on a course made even more complicated by the rains of the previous days, Luca Martin crossed the finish line in first position, raised front wheel, tricolor jersey on the shoulders and accompanied by cries and applause.
Luca Martin will keep this memory in memory forever. “I still have trouble achieving. From the first laps I felt good. Maybe I had a little dopamines to see everyone and this audience encourages me. I heard the crowd howl my name. It is very special and even more with this jersey of French champion on the shoulders. »»
And when climbing on the podium, while the French anthem resonates in the mountains, emotion and joy are even more palpable. A moment as a suspension. Luca Marin may remember it for a long time. And the party in Gets promised to last until very late at night.
