French cyclist (born 1978)
Christelle Ribault|
| Born | (1978-03-23) 23 March 1978 (age 46)
Ermont, France |
|---|
|
| Discipline | Track |
|---|
| Role | Rider |
|---|
|
Christelle Ribault (born 23 March 1978) is a French cyclist.
Biography
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
