A remark on the homology of finite coverings of a surface

Abstract: Let $p: S\to S_g$ be a finite covering of an orientable closed surface of genus $g$. We prove that, for $g\geq 3$, the rational homology group $H_1(S;{\mathbb Q})$ is generated by cycles supported on simple closed curves $\gamma\subset S$ such that $p(\gamma)$ is contained in a $3$-punctured, genus $0$ subsurface of $S_g$. In particular, this answers positively, for $g\geq 3$ and rational coefficients, a question by Autumn Kent.