TRIATHLON – Grand Prix Saint-Jean-de-Monts Final: Poissy wins twice again

As expected, Poissy Triathlon achieved a double victory 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 adds its name to the competition’s roll of honor for the 16th time (12th consecutive title) in the women’s category and the 11th time in the men’s category (4th consecutive title). However, it left the stage victories to Tri Val de Gray (women) and Saint-Jean-de-Monts Vendée Triathlon (men). Despite rather rainy weather, the spectacle was of high quality, especially during the men’s race, which featured a field worthy of a WTCS.

Source: Press Release

Women’s D1 Race: 16th Title for Poissy Triathlon

Unlike last week, the women kicked off the event around 3 PM. The start was given from the beach.

After the 750 m swim in a rather rough Atlantic Ocean, it was Lola Bachet (Saint-Avertin Sports Triathlon 37) who was awarded the title of best swimmer of the day. The Saint-Avertin native finished a few seconds ahead of the two Grayloises, Jessica Fullagar and Léa Richard. Double European medalist (gold in mixed relay, bronze in individual) Emma Lombardi (Vals du Dauphiné Olympic) followed this trio closely.

A group of 26 breakaway riders formed in the first few hectometers of the bike leg. The leaders were never caught by their pursuers, reaching the bike park with a substantial lead (1’20). The main riders caught out were Pisciacaise Sandra Dodet (2nd in Quiberon) and Liévinoise Jaz Hedgeland.

Quicker in transition, Cecilia Santamaria Surroca (T.C.G Parthenay) was quickly joined by a duo composed of Emma Lombardi and the Dane Alberte Kjaer Pedersen (Tri Val de Gray). The Spaniard resisted for one lap before giving up. In turn, Emma Lombardi fell victim to an acceleration from the Scandinavian. The outcome was clear: Alberte Kjaer Pedersen flew towards her 2nd consecutive victory after the one achieved in Quiberon last week.

While Emma Lombardi kept the silver, the bronze ultimately went to Mathilde Gautier (Tri Val de Gray) who overtook Cecilia Santamaria on the line.

Like its third representative at the finish, Jessica Fullagar also performed excellently (11th), Tri Val de Gray won very clearly in the club standings ahead of Triathlon Club Liévin and Metz Triathlon. For the first time this season, Poissy Triathlon did not feature on the podium.

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

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

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

Men’s D1 Race: Stage for Saint-Jean de Monts, Title for Poissy

Even though WTCS circuit leader, Hayden Wilde, declined to compete at the last minute, the field presented to the public was magnificent.

At the start, we found an Olympic medalist (the Briton Alex Yee), a triple world champion (the Spaniard Mario Mola), a winner of two WTCS stages (the Belgian Jelle Geens) and our trio from the Army of Champions, who achieved a triple in the individual European championship (Léo Bergère, Pierre Le Corre and Dorian Coninx).

Despite its seven-point lead at the start of this final and the withdrawal of Liévinois Hayden Wilde, Poissy Triathlon was not guaranteed to win. Unlike the other stages, a coefficient of 1.5 would, in fact, be applied to the points of this final.

As for the women, the male competitors did not have a calm ocean.

The most effective in these somewhat special conditions was the Dutchman Mitch Kolman (M.S.A Triathlon), closely followed by Dorian Coninx (Poissy Triathlon) and the young French junior swimming champion, Léo Ouabdesselam (Saint-Jean-de-Monts Vendée Triathlon).

The main favorites also had a good swim. Even Jelle Geens (Triathlon Club Liévin) and Alex Yee (Valence Triathlon), about twenty seconds behind the lead, did better than limit the damage. The main victim of this first discipline was Messin Nathan Guerbeur, relegated to a minute behind.

A group of 13 escapees, including 4 Pisciacais, attempted a breakaway. But they were quickly caught by the chasing pack. There were now 36 in the lead. Apart from Guerbeur, all the big names were there.

No competitor managed to “get away”. The transition promised to be decisive. The slightest mistake could be costly.

Nine men broke away from the start. After one lap, only three seemed to be in a position to contend for the victory: Alex Yee, Jelle Geens, and Léo Bergère. But that was without counting the dazzling return of the Spaniard Mario Mola, who had caught up with the competitors ahead of him one by one. As soon as the junction was made, the triple world champion, who had not shone on the WTCS circuit in recent months, tried to surprise his rivals with a bluff. But in vain. A few hundred meters later, he was dropped along with his clubmate Léo Bergère.

The victory would therefore be decided in a sprint between Alex Yee and Jelle Geens. With his known finish, the Briton mastered the Belgian. The podium was completed by Mario Mola who took the upper hand over Léo Bergère. Pierre Le Corre rounded out the Top 5.

Thanks to Louis Vitiello‘s 12th place, Saint-Jean-de-Monts Vendée Triathlon delighted the local public by winning the stage victory ahead of Poissy Triathlon and Triathlon Club Liévin, who at the same time lost all hope of an eleventh-hour comeback.

The French club championship title therefore once again fell into Poissy’s hands.

As at the start of this final, its runners-up were, in order, Triathlon Club Liévin and Les Sables Vendée. The latter kept their place on the podium by a single point ahead of Saint-Jean-de-Monts Vendée Triathlon. For its part, Metz Triathlon dropped one rank, finishing the competition in 5th place.

At the bottom of the standings, Issy Triathlon, Vals du Dauphiné Olympic, Versailles Triathlon and Chambéry Triathlon will compete in D2 next year.

Statements:

Alberte Kjaer 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 a good position. On foot, I took advantage of a slowdown at the end of the first loop to accelerate and head for victory. I am proud to have won two Grand Prix stages in a row.“

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

Alex Yee (Valence Triathlon, 1st): “It was a magnificent battle. Despite a difficult swim, I managed to be part of the breakaway group. The fight was intense on foot. I am happy to have emerged victorious. I thank the Valence club which has always been by my side since 2016, the year of my debut.“

Jelle Geens (Triathlon Club Liévin, 2nd): “After my victory in Quiberon, I am satisfied to have followed up with another good performance. I am getting closer to Alex Yee on foot. The team worked well 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 an improvement in Valence last week (2nd place). I started slower than my rivals on foot. I then found enough energy to get back in contact. I am very happy with my 3rd place and the team stage victory. It was important to perform at home.“

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