Clara Sanchez (cyclist) facts for kids
.jpg) |
|||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Clara Henriette (née Sanchez) | ||
| Born | 20 September 1983 Martigues, France |
||
| Team information | |||
| Discipline | Track | ||
| Role | Coach | ||
| Rider type | Sprint | ||
| Major wins | |||
|
|||
Clara Henriette (born Sanchez) is a famous French track cyclist. She was born on September 20, 1983, in Martigues, France. Clara became a world champion in a cycling event called the Keirin not once, but twice! She won the Keirin World Championship in 2004 and again in 2005.
Clara also represented France at the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2012 Summer Olympics. After her racing career, she became a coach. She now coaches the French national sprint cycling team.
Contents
What is Track Cycling?
Track cycling is a type of bicycle racing. It takes place on a special indoor or outdoor track. This track is called a velodrome. Velodromes have steeply banked curves, which makes racing very exciting.
Clara specialized in sprint events. These are short, fast races. The Keirin is one of these sprint events. In a Keirin race, cyclists follow a motorized pace-setter. The pace-setter slowly speeds up. Then it leaves the track, and the cyclists sprint to the finish line.
Clara's Big Wins
Clara Henriette is best known for her amazing success in the Keirin. She won the gold medal at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships two years in a row.
- In 2004, she won her first Keirin World Championship in Melbourne, Australia.
- In 2005, she won her second Keirin World Championship in Los Angeles, USA.
These wins showed she was one of the best Keirin riders in the world.
Other Important Medals
Clara also won other medals at the World Championships:
- She earned silver medals in Keirin in 2002 and 2006.
- She won a bronze medal in Keirin in 2011.
At the European Track Championships, Clara also had great success. In 2010, she won a gold medal in the Team Sprint event. This showed her skill in working with teammates too.
Racing at the Olympics
Clara Henriette had the honor of competing for France in two Olympic Games.
- She raced at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
- She also competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England.
Representing your country at the Olympics is a huge achievement for any athlete.
From Rider to Coach
After a successful career as a professional cyclist, Clara decided to share her knowledge. She became a coach. Now, she helps train the next generation of French sprint cyclists. Her experience as a two-time world champion makes her a valuable mentor.
See also
In Spanish: Clara Sanchez (ciclista) para niños
