Revealed at the highest level at a frantic pace, the Nice native Marjolaine Pierré has now established herself as one of the major figures in long-distance triathlon. She will take the start of the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Nice this Saturday with the determination to reach the top of the podium.
Smiling and measured in tone at the press conference, Marjolaine Pierré, 26 years old, exudes unshakeable serenity. In just a few seasons as a professional, the Frenchwoman has built an exceptional track record on World Triathlon and Ironman circuits. Double world champion in Long Distance World Triathlon crowned in 2023, then in 2025, she has also distinguished herself at the highest world level with a remarkable 4th place at the Ironman World Championships in Nice in 2024 and a 5th place at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Marbella in 2025. Formidable at all distances, the French triathlete won on XXL format at Ironman Portugal in 2023 and Ironman Vitoria-Gasteiz in 2025, while continuing to rack up major victories on the 70.3 circuit.
Just hours before taking the start of the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Nice, the athlete from the Azure Coast opened up about her feelings, her preparation, and her ambitions.
You were exposed very quickly to the highest level and you’re still very young. How do you manage this pressure?
“I don’t know if it’s really pressure. It’s mainly something I approach positively. I’m very happy to have the chance to live this life and to be able to convey emotions through my passion. It’s an opportunity. It’s not so much pressure as the desire to do well. It’s a personal requirement I’ve had since childhood, I love when everything is perfect. But in triathlon, you can’t control everything because there are so many factors. This sport also teaches me to channel this perfectionist side.”
As this home race approaches, what is your mental state? Are you relaxed or do you feel particular tension in front of your home crowd?
Not tense at all! I’m actually quite relaxed, even though this is the most important race of the season along with Hawaii. The public takes away my pressure more than it adds to it. I have the feeling that we’re sharing something, I feel less alone. Pressure often comes when you isolate yourself, but here, I feel like I’m running with all the people from Nice and France present. I’ll be competing against others, but carried along by all these people.
In 2025, you finished 5th at the 70.3 World Championships in Marbella. What is the step you need to take this weekend to reach the podium?
In Marbella, I was sick, so finishing 5th was already a surprise. I told myself that without this virus, the podium might have been within reach. Will Nice be the place for that podium? On paper, it’s the course that suits me best, even if the flat terrain suits me very well too. What was perhaps missing in Marbella was simply the energy of Nice and this bonus of running at home.
The bike course includes the Col de Vence. How do you envision the race and your strategy against the competition?
There will be strategies, but ultimately, the strongest in the legs and in the head will win. I’ll need to be very precise, know when to attack, when to hold back, when to eat. The descent won’t just be a rest phase, it will require enormous mental concentration. I’m approaching it a bit like an exam, I need to stay focused from start to finish. I’ve always had this ability to not give up, to go all the way, and I’m going to use it.
You’re coming out of five weeks of intensive training in Font-Romeu. What did this training camp bring you physically and mentally?
It was ideal. There’s everything there: the covered pool available, flat terrain, mountains, easier paths for running. It brought me real serenity. I was able to train in the cool, at altitude, away from the crowds and summer heat of the Côte d’Azur. I love Nice, but in summer it’s very busy! This break allowed me to work calmly, without stress, and to build up freshness and red blood cells.
Coming from a running background, will you adopt a cautious strategy in swimming and cycling to save some energy, or will you try to attack earlier?
The sooner you’re in front, the better. If I have the opportunity, I’ll try to be at the forefront from the base of Col de Vence, while saving as much energy as possible. In the climb, the idea will be to be tactical, to observe my opponents rather than go full throttle. Then I’d like to get a bit of a lead to tackle the descent alone, because I don’t like descending in a group, it can be dangerous. The ultimate goal is to put the bike down as fresh as possible to showcase my running abilities in the final part.”
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