The triathlon season ended this Sunday with the finale of the FFTRI Grand Prix, where Sartrouville claimed victory for the men and Poissy for the women. In front of a large audience, Pierre Le Corre and Cassandre Beaugrand donned the French Champion jersey.
Nice and triathlon, it’s a love story that lasts. At the end of June, the Ironman captivates the entire region and hosts over 2000 participants, and at the end of September, it’s the turn of short-distance triathletes to take over Nice and its Promenade des Anglais. After 4 stages held across France, the world’s best converge in the Bay of Nice to vie for the French team championship title.
At precisely 1 PM, the 72 participants plunged into the Mediterranean for a 750m course. As expected, Vincent Luis and Aurélien Raphaël emerged at the front, forming a group of 9 as they took to their bikes. Among the two tricolors, we also find Pierre Le Corre but especially the formidable green men of Sartrouville, namely Javier Gomez, the world number 1, and David Hauss. These 9 men quickly took a 40-second lead over a large pack of 45 triathletes. The final showdown thus took place over the 5-kilometer run. Le Corre-Gomez-Hauss-Luis led from the first hectometers, but the relentless attacks from Gomez and Le Corre broke the group apart. The decision came in a sprint, with the Frenchman Pierre Le Corre winning against the Spaniard. Simultaneously, the member of Sables Vendée Triathlon claimed the short-distance French champion jersey. As a team, unsurprisingly, Sartrouville won widely in this stage and overall, they secured the 6th title in their history.
“After a very difficult season, I am happy to win here. Beating the world number 1 (Javier Gomez) is an honor; this race gives me confidence for the next season which I hope will be injury-free.” Pierre Le Corre recounted after his victory.
The women’s race was a fierce battle for the win, with 6 competitors in contention during the final run lap. In the absence of part of the French team held back in Turkey for a World Cup, the favorites were present. The big surprise came from 17-year-old Cassandre Beaugrand, who won the sprint against Austrian Vilic and her teammate Cassan-Ferrier. The junior world vice-champion, registered with Poissy, won a stage of the Grand Prix for the first time and donned the blue-white-red jersey, a feat applauded by a crowd that stayed for the various podium ceremonies. This race was also the last for the dean of the French team, Jessica Harrison, who finished 8th this Sunday and announced her retirement.
