TRIATHLON – Saint-Jean-de-Monts Grand Prix Final: Poissy sees double once again

As expected, Poissy Triathlon achieved the double at the end of the Triathlon Grand Prix Final which took place this afternoon in Saint-Jean-de-Monts (Vendée). The club from the Paris region has entered its name in the competition's prize list for the 16th time (12th consecutive title) for the women and the 11th for the men (4th consecutive title). However, it leaves the stage victories to the Tri Val de Gray (women) and the Saint-Jean-de-Monts Vendée Triathlon (men). Despite rather rainy weather, the show was of high quality, especially during the men's race which offered a field worthy of a WTCS. 

Source: CP

Women’s D1 race: 16th title for Poissy Triathlon

Unlike last week, the women opened the ball at around 15 p.m. The start was given from the beach.

At the end of the 750 m swim in a fairly choppy Atlantic Ocean, it was Lola Bachet (Saint-Avertin Sports Triathlon 37) who was awarded the title of best swimmer of the day. The Saint-Avertinoise was a few seconds ahead of the two Grayloises Jessica Fullagar et Lea Richard. The double European medalist (gold in mixed relay, bronze in individual) Emma lombi (Vals du Dauphiné Olympic) follows this trio closely.

A group of 26 breakaways formed in the first few hundred meters of the bike. The leaders were never seen again by their pursuers, reaching the bike park with a substantial lead (1'20). The main ones trapped were the Pisciacaise Sandra Dodet (2nd in Quiberon) and the Liévinoise Jaz Hedgeland.

More prompt in transition, Cecilia Santamaria Surroca (TCG Parthenay) is joined fairly quickly by a duo composed ofEmma lombi and Danish Alberte Kjær Pedersen (Tri Val de Gray). The Spaniard resists for a lap before giving up. In turn, Emma Lombardi is the victim of an acceleration by the Scandinavian. The case is heard: Alberte Kjær Pedersen flies towards its 2nd consecutive success after the one acquired in Quiberon last week.

Wheras'Emma lombi keeps the silver, the bronze finally goes to Mathilde Gautier (Tri Val de Gray) who doubles on the line Cecilia Santamaria.

As its third representative at the finish, Jessica Fullagar was also excellent (11th), the Tri Val de Gray clearly won among the clubs ahead of the Triathlon Club Liévin and Metz Triathlon. For the first time this season, Poissy Triathlon is not on the podium. 

As the Yvelines club had a 17-point lead at the start of this final, this poor performance obviously had no impact on the final result of the competition. It won the title of French club champion for the 16th time (12th consecutive title).

Thanks to its victory today, Tri Val de Gray steals the title of first runner-up from Metz Triathlon (3rd today). Issy Triathlon and Triathlon Club Liévin complete the Top 5.

At the bottom of the table, La Rochelle Triathlon, Triathlon Club Châteauroux Métropole, Montpellier Triathlon and Tri Saint-Amand Dun are relegated to D2.

Men's D1 race: The stage for Saint-Jean de Monts, the title for Poissy 

Even though WTCS circuit leader Hayden Wilde declined the fight at the last minute, The plateau offered to the public is sumptuous.

At the start, we find an Olympic medalist (the British Alex Yee), a triple world champion (the Spaniard Mario Mola), a winner of two WTCS rounds (the Belgian Jelle Geens) and our trio from the Army of Champions, who won a hat-trick at the European Championship individually (Léo Bergère, Pierre Le Corre and Dorian Coninx).

Despite his seven-point lead at the start of this final and the withdrawal of the Liévinois Hayden Wilde, Poissy Triathlon is not guaranteed to win the prize. Unlike the other stages, a coefficient of 1,5 will, in fact, be applied to the points of this final.

As with the women, the male competitors are not entitled to an ocean of oil.

The most effective in these somewhat special conditions is the Dutch Mitch Kolman (MSA Triathlon), closely followed by Dorian Coninx (Poissy Triathlon) and the young French junior swimming champion, Leo Ouabdesselam (Saint-Jean-de-Monts Vendée Triathlon).

The main favourites also had a great swim. Even Jelle Geens (Triathlon Club Liévin) and Alex Yee (Valence Triathlon), about twenty seconds behind the leader, did more than limit the damage. The main victim of this first discipline is the Messin Nathan Guerbeur, relegated to one minute.

A group of 13 fugitives, including 4 Pisciacais, attempted a lucky escape. But they were quickly caught by the pack of pursuers. They now found themselves 36 in the lead. Except for Guerbeur, all the headliners were there.

No competitor will manage to “make a run for it”. The transition promises to be decisive. The slightest mistake can be paid for in cash.

Nine men stand out from the start. After one round, there only seem to be three left who can compete for victory. : Alex Yee, Jelle Geens and Léo Bergère. But that's without taking into account the Spaniard's dazzling return. Mario Mola, who caught up one by one with the competitors who were ahead of him. The junction barely made, the triple world champion, who had hardly shone on the WTCS circuit in recent months, tried to bluff to surprise his rivals. But in vain. A few hundred meters further, he was dropped together with his club mate Leo Bergere.

Success will therefore be decided in a sprint between Alex Yee and Jelle Geens. With the finish we know him for, the Briton masters the Belgian. The podium is completed by Mario Mola who takes over from Léo Bergère. Pierre Le Corre concludes the Top 5.

Thanks to the 12th place of louis vitello, the Saint-Jean-de-Monts Vendée Triathlon delighted the local public by winning the stage ahead of Poissy Triathlon and the Triathlon Club Liévin, which at the same time lost all hope of turning the tide in extremis.

The title of French club champion therefore once again falls into the hands of Poissy. 

As at the start of this final, its runners-up are, in order, the Triathlon Club Liévin and the Sables Vendée. The latter keep their place on the box by a small point against the Saint-Jean-de-Monts Vendée Triathlon. For its part, Metz Triathlon drops back one rank, finishing the competition in 5th place.

At the bottom of the ranking, Issy Triathlon, Vals du Dauphiné Olympic, Versailles Triathlon and Chambéry Triathlon will move up to D2 next year.

Declarations:

Alberte Kjær Pedersen (Tri Val de Gray, 1st): “ We had a great team race which allowed us to triumph. My teammates, very strong in swimming and cycling, put me in orbit. On foot, I took advantage of a slowdown at the end of the first loop to accelerate and race towards victory. I am proud to have won two Grand Prix rounds in a row.« 

Emma lombi (Vals du Dauphiné Olympic, 2nd): “ Despite the last-minute withdrawal of a teammate, my club obtained a nice 6th place. I am happy with my 2nd place. Now it's time to rest before going to Font-Romeu to prepare for the WTCS in Cagliari, then the WTCS final.. "

Alex Yee (Valencia Triathlon, 1st): “It was a magnificent fight. Despite a difficult swim, I managed to be part of the breakaway group. The fight was intense on foot. I am happy to have come out on top. I thank the Valencia club that has always been there by my side since 2016, the year I started."

Jelle Geens (Triathlon Club Liévin, 2nd): “ After my victory in Quiberon, I am satisfied to have followed up with another great performance. I am getting closer to Alex Yee on foot. The team worked hard today. Unfortunately, it was not enough for the title."

Mario Mola (Saint-Jean-de-Monts Vendée Triathlon): “ I'm fighting in training to get back to my best level. There was already some improvement in Valencia last week (2nd place). I started slower than my rivals on foot. I then found enough energy to get back into contact. I'm very happy with my 3rd place and the team stage victory. It was important to perform at home. "

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