Katerina Siniakova and Tomas Machac win mixed doubles gold
His fellow countrymen, Sylvain Andre and Romain Mahieu, claimed the silver and bronze medals, respectively, in front of an enthusiastic home audience at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines stadium, which resonated with chants of "allez les bleus."
In the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron, the trio launched from the starting ramp and maintained their lead throughout the final, navigating the challenging, twisting course in a synchronized 1-2-3 formation, resembling a blue-and-white blur.
"We knew it was possible to achieve first, second, and third, albeit with a slim chance, and we all aspired to win the race. I am pleased that we succeeded, rather than the others," Andre remarked to the media.
France has been a powerhouse in BMX racing over the past few decades, accumulating 50 gold medals at world championships since 1982, with Daudet and Mahieu currently holding the first and second positions in the world rankings.
However, at the Olympic level, they had only secured two medals since the sport's introduction in Beijing in 2008.
With Dutch competitor Niek Kimmann unable to defend his Tokyo 2021 title due to health issues and Tokyo silver medalist Kye Whyte from Britain hindered by a back injury, the French riders excelled in their semi-finals.
Tokyo bronze medalist Carlos Ramirez from Colombia did not advance to the final rounds.
For Daudet, the gold medal represents the culmination of a lengthy career that began with his first World Championship medal, a bronze, in 2010.
He has been a formidable figure in BMX racing for over a decade, amassing a record nine world championship medals, including golds in 2011, 2016, and 2024.
Daudet has announced plans to retire following his fourth Olympic Games.
"I have a deep passion for BMX, but I do not envision myself remaining in the BMX industry. I have accomplished everything I set out to do. I wish to enjoy life with my wife and children," he shared with reporters this week.
In the women's BMX race, Saya Sakakibara from Australia secured the gold medal, while Manon Veenstra of the Netherlands earned the silver, and Zoe Claessens from Switzerland took home the bronze.
Sakakibara, who was ranked as the top female BMX Racing rider in both 2024 and 2023, made a remarkable return after enduring two years of injuries, including a concussion sustained during the Tokyo 2021 Olympics and a crash in 2022 that resulted in a bruised lung and another concussion.
Both Sakakibara and her partner Mahieu, who are in a relationship, will return from the same Games with medals—one gold and one bronze—in the same event.
SportsLigue