A few weeks ago, the second World Cup of the season was held in Cairo (Egypt). There, Pröpster made his first World Cup podium at the Keirin, taking third place. Now things got down to business in Canada – the youngster was the only German starter in the short-term disciplines.
The Olympic champion is left behind
In qualifying for the sprint in Milton, Pröpster took third place out of 30 starters. However, the competitive sprint course ended after the quarter-finals. The 22-year-old was eliminated in two sets by Mexican Luz Daniela Gaxiola Gonzalez. In the end, that was enough to finish sixth in the women’s sprint against women.
Keirin races were on the schedule on Sunday. In the peloton of 31 participants, almost all of the world elite were at the start. Only the best sprinters from Germany and France weren’t there as they took a break from competition to regenerate. Already in the first run, the youngster rode superbly and won ahead of the Olympic champion Kelsy Mitchell, who therefore had to go to the repechage. Pröpster also did well in the semi-finals and took second place, which meant the final.
Alessa-Catriona Pröpster prevents everyone from sprinting to victory
Keirin women #TissotNationsCup pic.twitter.com/ogQfWZqL3Z
— UCI Track Cycling (@UCI_Track) April 23, 2023
In the solid final, the 22-year-old caused the big surprise and therefore a bang. Driving from fourth position, Pröpster showed a brave and active drive in the field of six participants. On lap four of six, she took the lead and defended her lead until the finish. Thus, the youngster won ahead of the Colombian Martha Pineda Bayona and the English Katy Marchant. Since the World Cups are part of the Olympic qualification for 2024 in Paris, the first World Cup victory was once again a big step in the right direction.
“Alessa was very strong in Milton, did a very good job in the sprint tournament and rode very well in the keirin,” said national coach Jan van Eijden.
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