One of the most significant triathlons in the world, the IronMan, has been actively preparing in Nice for weeks. Here are the important details and things not to miss this Sunday, June 28, for this 11th edition.
Yesterday, on the eve of the race, professional athletes signed up for the Nice IronMan at the expo along the Promenade des Anglais. It was an opportunity to quickly review the many battles for the top spots in the rankings.
In the professional women’s category, we expect to see strong competition between Jeanne Collonge, 2nd in 2013, and Cait Snow, 2nd last year and holder of the local marathon time record. Note the presence of Lisa Roberts, 3rd in 2014 and 4th in 2013, as well as Emma Pooley, 2010 World Time Trial Cycling Champion and British Road Champion, who will undoubtedly be tough competitors once again.
Paul Belmondo at the start of the IronMan France Nice!
This triathlon will also feature some notable personalities, such as Paul Belmondo, a former F1 champion, Paris-Dakar and 24 Hours of Le Mans driver, actor, TV consultant, and now an IronMan. He declared before the race that he is uncertain about his physical preparation but assured that he will give his best. As the event’s slogan goes, “Anything is possible”!
On the men’s side, Domenico Passuello, the man to beat, is in great shape this season, having won the 2015 IronMan Taiwan and the 70.3 in Putrajaya, and coming in 3rd in Pescara two weeks ago. He will face competitions, including Romain Guillaume, who has declared himself a candidate for the final victory. Boris Stein, second at the IronMan 70.3 Pays d’Aix, as well as the French athletes Sylvain Sudrie and Simon Billeau, along with Herve Faure and Anthony Pannier, will not make it easy for them.
Expected Checkpoints
About 2,800 people are expected at the start of the IronMan France Nice this year!
The professionals will start at 6:25 AM, from the beach in front of the Thรฉรขtre de Verdure for the 3.8 km swim, while the rest of the participants will wait 5 minutes longer.
The first man and woman are expected to exit the water around 7:15 AM before starting the cycling section. After 180 kilometers of cycling in the Nice hinterland, the arrival of the first man is expected around 11:40 AM, and that of the first woman an hour later.
It will then be time to start the final challenge, the marathon. Consisting of 4 laps of 10.5 km, it will require approximately 3 hours of racing (45 minutes per lap), with the first arrivals expected around 2:45 PM and 3:45 PM for men and women, respectively.
A fireworks display at 10:30 PM on the Promenade des Anglais
A fireworks display, scheduled for 10:30 PM on the Promenade des Anglais, will conclude this exceptional day and may coincide with the arrival of the last participant at the IronMan Nice. A beautiful reward after 16 hours of effort!
