TRIATHLON – FFTRI GP 2020: first stage in Châteauroux on Saturday, August 22, without Vincent Luis and Cassandre Beaugrand

Due to the health crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has disrupted the world of sporting events, it was essential for the French Triathlon Federation to find a way to continue this Championship. The circuit format has therefore been modified with three stages that will bring together the world’s best triathletes: Châteauroux on August 22, Quiberon on September 5, and Les Herbiers on October 3.

In addition to the two Elite races, each host city organizes public events on the same weekend, accessible to the greatest number.

Source: Press release. Photos: C.Guiard / Triathlète Magazine

This Saturday, August 22, in Châteauroux, the 16 men’s and 16 women’s Division 1 clubs will try to position themselves from the 1st stage to gain an advantage in the general classification. Even if the two French headliners – Cassandre Beaugrand and Vincent Luis – will be absent from this first event of the season, the level will be high. And even more so for the men, as several renowned international athletes will be present, such as the Spaniards Mario Mola (St Jean-de-Monts Vendée Triathlon) and Javier Gomez (Triathlon Club Liévin), as well as the Norwegians Kristian Blummenfelt (Valence Triathlon) and Gustav Iden (Triathlon Club Liévin). The battle will be tough between the discipline’s top contenders, as the French elite will also be there with Léo Bergère for St Jean de Monts, Dorian Coninx for Poissy Triathlon, and Pierre Le Corre for Montpellier Triathlon. On the women’s side, the individual podium will likely be contested between the French athletes. The clubs from the Paris region can notably count on their best elements with Léonie Périault and Sandra Dodet for Poissy Triathlon, and Emilie Morier and the two Merle sisters for Issy Triathlon.

Last year, Châteauroux had already hosted the 1st stage of the 2019 Triathlon Grand Prix. The event was dominated by Poissy Triathlon, which achieved a clean sweep: victory for the women, for the men, and individual victories with Anthony Pujades and Sandra Dodet.

Men’s Race

Poissy Triathlon’s blue and yellow, crowned French champions in 2019, will be able to count on a strong all-French team with Dorian Coninx, Aurélien Raphaël, Antoine Duval, Jérémy Quindos, Tom Richard, and Yann Allichon; Anthony Pujades, last year’s winner, is absent.

Three other clubs will also be vying for the top of the standings in this first stage: Les Sables Vendée Triathlon, St-Jean de Monts Vendée Triathlon, and Triathlon Club Liévin. Deprived of its British athletes, the Hauts-de-France team will have in its ranks five-time world champion Javier Gomez, the Salsvisberg brothers, Austrian Alois Knabl, and Frenchman Raphaël Montoya. With this brand new team, Triathlon Club Liévin intends to make a strong start.

On the Vendée side, who finished 2nd in the stage in 2019 and 4th overall, the team will be composed of João Silva, Jelle Geens, Jawad Abdelmoula, Quentin Barreau, and Antoine Muller. The five men will be accompanied by two U23s: Hugo Benoist and Mathis Rocard.

Finally, the Montoise team will also be one to watch, as it will field a strong lineup for this first stage with world No. 2, Mario Mola, and Frenchman Léo Bergère. Also noteworthy is the arrival of Swiss Sylvain Fridelance in the Montoise stable, which will allow the team to score maximum points at the start of the season. Louis Vitiello (French U23 Champion) and Brice Daubord will also be present in this first stage. Arthur Berland and Paul Lebois will also be found in the U23 box.

Women’s Race

Among the women, the Pisciacaise team will try to “do its best” as it is deprived of its best asset, Cassandre Beaugrand, who is suffering from tendinitis. However, the club will be able to count on the duo Léonie Périault and Sandra Dodet (winner in 2019). Natalie Van Coevorden, Kristelle Congi, and Marie Wattiez will try to place the team.

Facing the reigning French Champions, several clubs will try to seize their chance. Among them, Metz Triathlon, which finished on the second step of the podium for the Women in 2019. The Metz team will continue to aim for the podium this season. In this first stage of the circuit, the team will be composed of Italian Angelica Olmo, Hungarian Zsanett Bragmayer, and Frenchwomen Apolline Foltz and Margot Garabedian. New club recruit, Pauline Landron will also be part of the festivities. After two years in Parthenay, the Vendômoise notably marked her 2019 season with a victory at the Huelva European Cup. Finally, in the U23 box, we will also find Metz athletes, Léa Coninx and Léonie Douche.

Another club to watch is Issy Triathlon, which finished at the foot of the podium at the end of the 2019 season and can count on its best athletes: Emilie Morier (2019 U23 World Champion), Audrey Merle, and her sister Célia. Back from training camp, the three Frenchwomen will try to compete for the individual podium. Lou Berland and Spanish Carolina Routier will complete the team.

Tri Val de Gray will try to get on the podium with a team led by Frenchwoman Mathilde Gautier, accompanied by Mexican Michelle Flipo, German Léna Meissner, and her compatriot Clémence Tedesco. The club can also count on a new recruit, swimmer Léa Marchal.

Not to mention the host club of the event, Triathlon Club Châteauroux, which could create a surprise as the team envisioned to defend local chances would be composed of South African Gillian Sanders, Britons Hannah Kitchen and Jenny Manners, and Italian Alessia Orla. Led by triathlete Léa Duchampt, the team could try to get on the box.

Date: Saturday, August 22, 2020
Location: Belle-Isle nautical base
Format: 750 – 20 – 5
Women’s race start: 1:30 PM
Men’s race start: 3:30 PM