Christelle Ribault (born 23 March 1978) is a French cyclist.

Christelle Ribault
Personal information
Born (1978-03-23) 23 March 1978 (age 46)
Ermont, France
Team information
DisciplineTrack
RoleRider
Medal record
Representing  France
World Track Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2023 Glasgow Scratch race C2
Bronze medal – third place 2024 Rio de Janeiro Scratch race C2
European Para Championships
Silver medal – second place 2023 Rotterdam Road race C2

Biography

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Ribault started cycling at the age of 7 at the Sannois club despite suffering from severe epilepsy, then she moved on to track cycling at the Villeneuve-la-Garenne club under the direction of Gérard Van den Abèle. She ranked third in the French National Track Championships, in the 500 m event when she was still a junior, only beaten by Félicia Ballanger and Magali Humbert-Faure. From 1997 to 1999, she spent two years at the Pôle France in Hyères, trained by three-time Olympic champion Daniel Morelon.[1]

In February 2016, Ribault found herself paralyzed in her left leg caused by misdiagnosed sciatica caused by a herniated disc and despite four months in a rehabilitation center, she did not regain the use of this leg.[2][1] She subsequently competed in para-cycling in the C21 classification. Although her left leg was paralysed, she did not have an amputation and therefore kept two cranks when she raced.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Olivier Haralambon (16 August 2019). "Christelle Ribault, une seconde carrière en paracyclisme". lequipe.fr. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  2. ^ Victor Tassel (2 October 2017). "Villeneuve-la-Garenne : valide ou handicapée, elle règne sur la petite reine". www.leparisien.fr. Retrieved 21 July 2019.