For the fourth consecutive year, Nice is hosting the final stage of the Grand Prix de Triathlon, a team competition. For the men, Sartrouville is very close to winning the title, but for the women, the suspense is still high.
A dream setting: the Bay of Nice for the 750m swim and the Promenade des Anglais for the 20 kilometers of cycling and 5 kilometers of running. The best international and French triathletes are coming to wrap up their season in Nice. In the always highly competitive Grand Prix of the French Triathlon Federation (FFTRI), the five stages lead to duels worthy of the greatest world races.
On the men’s side, the title should not escape the ‘little green men’, the nickname for the triathletes from Sartrouville (Yvelines). Opposing them, Sables Vendée Triathlon and Poissy will try to mix into the fight. The world’s best will be present: Spaniards Javier Gomez and Mario Mola, ranked 1 and 2, will represent Sartrouville and Vincent Luis, ranked 6th in the world, will be France’s best chance.
Sunday’s event will also award the French individual short-distance Champion title (750m swimming, 20 km cycling, and 5 km running). The reigning champion, Vincent Luis, will face Pierre Le Corre (Les Sables Vendée Triathlon), Aurélien Raphaël (Poissy), and David Hauss (Sartrouville).
In the women’s category, the scenario is different. After four stages (Dunkerque, Valence, Embrun, and Quiberon), three teams can still clinch the title. Poissy, four-time titleholder, is the favorite, but they must overcome TCG 49 Parthenay, the current leader, and Tri Val de Grey, who are tied for second place.
For the French champion title, the event is heading towards a duel between the reigning champion, Jessica Harrison, and her Poissy teammate, the junior Cassandre Beaugrand. The other contenders are absent due to the World Cup in Turkey at the same time.
Before the stars, with races starting at 1 PM for men and 3 PM for women, Nice will welcome nearly 1500 triathletes of all ages on an Olympic distance (1500m swim, 40km cycling, and 10km running). The Open race (open to all) will start at 8 AM, with the first competitors expected around 10 AM. This race also serves as the French championship for Age Groups.
