Grégory Baugé, the track cyclist, retires on Sunday 10 January 2021, after a 16-year career at the top level. With nine world titles, including four individual sprint world champions and four Olympic medals, Guadeloupe is one of the greatest French legends in cycling history. To be rediscovered in Memosport.
At 14, Grégory Baugé’s heart swings between football and cycling. Two years later, the Guadeloupe decided to devote himself entirely to the track and wore the colors of US Créteil. Throughout his career, “the Tiger”, as he is nicknamed, will be loyal to his debut club. It will take him less than a season in Créteil, to seduce the national authorities and integrate the French team.
Baugé achieved his first gold medal in 2006. He was crowned world champion in the team sprint together with Arnaud Tournant and Mickaël Bourgain against Australia. For four years, the trio dominated the discipline unchallenged.
He won his fifth and last team world crown at the Track World Championships in 2015, at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines National Velodrome, with Mickaël d’Almeida and Kevin Sireau. He also shines individually during this competition.
Silver medalist in 2007 in the individual, “the Tiger” reigns on the world track from 2009 to 2010. He achieves impressive performances in 2012. Individual world champion, he climbs to the second step of the team podium. At the London Olympics, the same year, he became Olympic runner-up in individual and team sprint.
Grégory Baugé won a total of four Olympic medals, including three silver and one bronze. Only gold is missing from his list. But at the beginning of 2021, the French cyclist decides to end his career and give up the dream of participating in the Olympic Games one last time, in Tokyo, Japan.
The best memories of his career remain the European title and second place in the team sprint at the European Track Championships, held in Baie-Mahaut, Guadeloupe, on his home island. An obscure page remains in his list. His 2011 world title was withdrawn due to lack of localization in the international doping control procedure.
When Grégory Baugé ended his career, he began a new professional life. The Guadeloupian becomes a coach.
Appointed national sprint coach, at 37, Grégory Baugé took charge of the French team in March 2022. The Guadeloupe is the most successful cyclist of his generation.
For Mémosport, Grégory Baugé looks back on his career:
Interview Gregory Bauge
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