TRIATHLON – Dunkirk GP: Tri Val de Gray and Liéven Triathlon Club surprise Poissy

The leaders of Tri Val de Gray and Triathlon Club de Liévin, winners in the women’s and men’s categories respectively, were beaming with joy at the finish of the 2nd stage of the Grand Prix Triathlon, which took place this afternoon in Dunkerque Nord. They were proud to have both beaten the giant Poissy Triathlon club. This kind of performance doesn’t happen every day, given the dominance of the Île-de-France club on the French Triathlon Federation’s flagship circuit. After the night’s storm, which had raised fears of cancellation, the event took place in milder weather, although the significant drop in temperatures disrupted more than one participant. It was organized by Triathlon Littoral 59, which was celebrating its 35th edition.

Source: Press Release

D1 Women

The women’s race started at 1:30 PM. The 750m swim would have a considerable impact on the race outcome. It allowed five competitors to break away. Tri Val de Gray immediately made a good move by placing three of its representatives in the leading quintet: Mathilde Gautier, Léa Marchal, and Jessica Fullagar. They were joined by Emma Lombardi (Vals du Dauphiné Olympic) and Hungarian Zsanett Bragmayer (Metz Triathlon). The escapees extended their lead over the kilometers, reaching nearly two minutes after 20 km.

From the start of the run, Emma Lombardi dropped her rivals, cruising to an effortlessly easy victory. The U23 World Champion, who continues to improve with each race, crossed the finish line 41 seconds ahead of Zsanett Bragmayer.

The next three competitors were from the same club, Tri Val de Gray: Mathilde Gautier, Jessica Fullagar, and Mathilde Offord. The outcome was immediately clear: the team victory went to the Haute-Saône club.

Thanks to the presence of three of its representatives in the Top 10, Poissy Triathlon did better than limit the damage, finishing 2nd despite numerous notable absences (Périault, Beaugrand, Dodet). The podium was completed by Metz Triathlon.

In the general classification, Poissy Triathlon maintained its lead with four points ahead of Metz Triathlon and seven ahead of Tri Val de Gray. The Top 5 was completed by Issy Triathlon and Stade Poitevin Triathlon, who had the same number of points.

D1 Men

The men took over at 5:30 PM. The field was strong, notably with the presence of Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist, New Zealander Hayden Wilde. On the French side, Pierre Le Corre (an excellent 5th at the Yokohama WTCS) seemed to be the best chance for victory.

At the end of the swim, the fortunes of the two favorites were mixed. While Pierre Le Corre performed his task perfectly, exiting the water in 4th position very close to Matthew Hauser (Triathlon Club de Liévin), Valentin Morlec (Metz Triathlon), and Nathan Lessmann, Hayden Wilde was in 28th position, 25 seconds behind the leaders. This performance prevented him from joining the group of 12 escapees that formed in the first kilometers of the bike leg. In addition to Hauser, Morlec, and Lessmann, the escapees included Baptiste Passemard (Tri Val de Gray), Paul Lebois (Saint-Jean-de-Monts Vendée Triathlon), Casimir Moine (Metz Triathlon), Jawad Abdelmoula and Antoine Duval (Poissy Triathlon), Jérémy Quindos (Montpellier Triathlon), Brandon Copeland, and Hugo Winock (Triathlon Club Liévin).

Despite all their efforts, the escapees could not gain ground on a chasing peloton led by a rampant Hayden Wilde. They had only about ten seconds lead when they returned to the bike park. The quickest in transition was Valentin Morlec, followed by Baptiste Passemard. But very quickly, they had to cede the lead, first to Brandon Copeland and then to Matthew Hauser. Despite a thunderous comeback from his teammate Hayden Wilde, the Australian won without a fight. The battle for 3rd place treated spectators to a superb sprint between Brandon Copeland and Pierre Le Corre. The Australian had the last word, allowing Triathlon Club Liévin to sweep all podium places. The individual Top 5 was completed by Hungarian Bence Bicsak (Triathlon Toulouse Métropole).

In the team classification, behind the untouchable Triathlon Club de Liévin, 2nd places went to Metz Triathlon and Poissy Triathlon respectively. It came down to a single point.

Only 5th in the stage, Les Sables Vendée Triathlon lost their place on the provisional podium.

The good performers of the day were Triathlon Toulouse Métropole and Saint-Geneviève Triathlon, who gained three and five places respectively in the general classification. They are now 7th and 9th. Next stage: Metz

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