Dutch cyclist Harrie Lavreysen capped his dominance at the UCI Tissot Track Cycling World Championships Santiago 2025 with his fourth gold in the individual speed event. Trinidad and Tobago's Nicholas Paul finished fourth in the same race, praising Chilean fan support. The event at Velódromo de Peñalolén ended with acclaim for local organization.
The UCI Tissot Track Cycling World Championships Santiago 2025 concluded on Sunday, October 26, at Velódromo de Peñalolén, with Harrie Lavreysen cementing his status as the most decorated cyclist in history. The 28-year-old Dutch rider added his 20th world gold by winning the individual speed against Great Britain's Matt Richardson in two heats, following victories in team speed on Wednesday, keirin, and kilometer time trial, where he beat world record holder Jeffrey Hoogland.
Lavreysen built his tally since 2018 in Apeldoorn (1 gold), Pruskow 2019 (2), Berlin 2020 (3), Roubaix 2021 (3), Saint-Quentin 2022 (3), Glasgow 2023 (2), Ballerup 2024 (3), and now four in Santiago, surpassing Frenchman Arnaud Tournant. Chilean fans cheered him enthusiastically, filling the velodrome over five days.
In the same individual speed event, 27-year-old Nicholas Paul of Trinidad and Tobago placed fourth, close to the podium. “Being fourth in the world at such an important event, right behind the big names, is a huge achievement for me,” Paul said, who trains at the UCI World Cycling Centre in Aigle, Switzerland, via a scholarship that qualified him for two Olympics. “Thanks to UCI support, I qualified for two Olympics. Training at the World Cycling Centre has been an incredible experience.”
Paul praised the Chilean atmosphere: “In Chile, people cheer you as if you were one of them. Chile has a special velodrome. The atmosphere, the crowd, the energy… it's completely different.” He highlighted the South American Worlds' impact: “World Championships are usually in Europe, so being here is very important for those of us from distant countries.”
UCI track director Jessika Grand Bois commended the Chilean organization: “The Chilean team ensured they had a squad that qualified and could participate. That stimulated Chilean involvement.” She added: “We would be delighted to discuss hosting more events in Chile.” Paul concluded by thanking: “Thanks to Chilean fans for the affection.”
Lavreysen eyes further triumphs, while Paul dreams of an Olympic medal in Los Angeles 2028 for his nation.