What is this electric bike doing on the Olympic velodrome?

No technological doping, this electric motorcycle paves the way for the riders competing in the Keirin at the Paris Olympic Games.

This electric motorcycle is a key player in the highly popular and spectacular Olympic cycling event of the Keirin. It has the heavy task of leading the way during three of the four laps on the track that the event lasts in this discipline. Cyclists line up in single file behind the motorcycle, which gradually accelerates from 30 to 50 km/h. It is strictly forbidden to overtake it during this initial phase of the race, even by a whisker, under threat of disqualification. At the end of these three laps, the athletes are released for a single and unique lap of the national velodrome of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines for a sprint of rare violence where they reach nearly 80 km/h by sheer leg power!

This electric motorization is a true revolution. The end of an era, as until now, old gas-powered dernys were used. These were outdated buzzing mopeds that projected their exhaust gases, and sometimes a bit of oil, directly onto the cyclists during their efforts. It also marks the end of breakdowns during the event, as it was not uncommon to see thermal engine motorcycles refusing to start or breaking down mid-effort. Now, it is only necessary to ensure that the batteries are well charged.

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