GP de Triathlon: A dream day for Quiberon!

The sea air of Brittany was perfectly suited to the Poissy Triathlon athletes this Saturday in Quiberon. Winners of the 4th stage of the Triathlon Grand Prix for both men and women, the Yvelines club took a big step towards conquering a new double title of French club champions. However, the Île-de-France team triumphed without winning a single individual victory. Indeed, it was Jelle Geens from Liévin and Alberte Kjaer Pedersen from Gray who tasted the joys of the highest step of the podium. Both races were held under the sun with ideal temperatures and a little wind. The event was masterfully organized by Quiberon Triathlon.

Source: Press Release

All results => SEE HERE

D1 MEN: POISSY TRIATHLON RECLAIMS ITS YELLOW JERSEY

Unlike usual, it was the men who kicked off the event.

Leader with a two-point lead, Metz Triathlon arrived at the starting line with little certainty due to the absence of many key members (Morlec, Servais, Hueber-Moosbrugger, Guerbeur). Its direct pursuers, Poissy Triathlon and Triathlon Club Liévin, on the other hand, were much more confident, despite the respective absences of Jawad Abdelmoula and Hayden Wilde.

The field was of high quality, notably with the presence of the three representatives of the Armée des Champions, who achieved a clean sweep at the individual European Championship in Munich: Léo Bergère, Pierre Le Corre (also Long Distance World Champion), and Dorian Coninx.

Unsurprisingly, this trio was among the first out of the water, however, preceded by the young junior from Saint-Jean-de-Monts, Léo Ouabdesselam.

Among the favorites, the good surprise came from Jelle Geens (Triathlon Club Liévin) who conceded only eleven seconds to the race leaders. The Belgian thus found himself in the lead group of about thirty units. Not in this group were Copeland and Knabl (Triathlon Club Liévin), Pereira and Bishop (Saint-Jean-de-Monts Vendée Triathlon), and Viain (Les Sables Vendée Triathlon).

The chasing peloton did not panic and caught up in the 2nd lap. There were now 6 at the front of the race.

The end of the bike leg was marked by an attack from Robin Moussel (Evreux A.C) who maintained a ten-second lead upon returning to the bike park.

Louis Vitiello nevertheless managed to be the first to start the run course, consisting of two 2.5 km loops. The Montois was very quickly joined by a trio: his teammate Léo Bergère, Jelle Geens, and the Briton Barclay Izzard (Poissy Triathlon).

At the start of the last kilometer, only two were in a position to aim for victory: Jelle Geens and Léo Bergère. A better sprinter than the Frenchman, the Belgian took the victory thanks to a lightning acceleration. The podium was completed by the tireless Pierre Le Corre, who came back from nowhere.

It was necessary to use the abacus to determine the winner among the clubs. Although having the same number of points as Saint-Jean-de-Monts, Poissy Triathlon won thanks to the better ranking obtained by its third man (11th place for Antoine Duval, 14th place for Joao Pereira).

The podium was completed by Les Sables Vendée, who finished five points ahead of Triathlon Club Liévin.

In the general classification, Poissy Triathlon reclaimed the yellow jersey from Metz Triathlon, who finished only 16th today and dropped to 4th place.

Its first runner-up, seven points behind, is now Triathlon Club Liévin. Third, Les Sables Vendée is 12 points behind the leader.

Even if a coefficient of 1.5 will be applied to the points of the last round in Saint-Jean-de-Monts, the yellow and blue have taken a big step towards the title.

D1 WOMEN: IT’S (ALMOST) IN THE BAG FOR POISSY

At the start of this 4th stage, the top three teams in the general classification each had a notable absence to lament (Léonie Périault for Poissy Triathlon, Jeanne Lehair for Metz Triathlon, and Mathilde Gautier for Tri Val de Gray).

On the other hand, the double medalist from the Munich European Championship (bronze in individual and gold in mixed relay), Emma Lombardi, was present in the starting box for Vals Dauphiné Olympic. She immediately made her mark by being the first out of the Atlantic Ocean, ahead of Lola Bachet (Saint-Avertin Sports Triathlon 37) and Léa Coninx (Poissy Triathlon). This trio was present in the quickly formed breakaway group of 28 competitors. All the favorites were there except for the Hungarian Zsanett Bragmayer (Metz Triathlon) and Célia Merle (Issy Triathlon).

The chasers were no longer able to play an active role in the race.

As no competitor was able to outwit the vigilance of the lead peloton, everything would be decided on the run.

A trio quickly pulled away from all their rivals. It consisted of Emma Lombardi, Sandra Dodet (Poissy Triathlon), and Alberte Kjaer Pedersen (Tri Val de Gray).

The last word went to the Dane. Silver was won by Sandra Dodet and bronze by Emma Lombardi.

As with the men, the fight for the team victory was very close. By a single point, Poissy Triathlon ultimately took the prize at the expense of Issy Triathlon, who nevertheless placed three representatives in the Top 10. Tri Val de Gray completed the podium.

Poissy Triathlon soared in the general classification. The Île-de-France club now has a 17-point lead over Metz Triathlon, who finished only 9th today. The Lorraine team is now threatened by Tri Val de Gray, who has closed to within three points.

Fourth, 5 points behind second place, Issy Triathlon can still dream of a vice-champion title.

Good business also for Triathlon Club Liévin, who gained 3 places to find themselves in 5th position.

Apart from the title, the fight for the honor places promises excitement for the Saint-Jean-de-Monts final next week.

The D2 morning races were won by the women of Lys Calais Triathlon and the men of Mach 3. The overall leaders are Lys Calais Triathlon (women) and La Rochelle Triathlon (men).

=> SEE ALSO: All our MAG articles