At the starting line, in front of Jean-Christophe Péraud, recent second-place finisher of the Tour de France and double winner of the Roc d’Azur (2003, 2007), Jordan Sarrou had candidly expressed some ambitions for this Roc d’Azur.
He quickly turned his words into actions. In 2 hours 10 minutes and 10 seconds for the 56 km, he succeeded his compatriot Miguel Martinez (2 hours 11 minutes and 46 seconds), a three-time winner (1997, 2004, 2013) and still second on this Sunday, at 38 years old.
Before the men’s event, the women competed. At 20 years old, Margot Moschetti, the world under-23 vice-champion, won the Roc d’Azur Ladies. Alone in the lead from the start of the race, the young lady from the hinterland of Nice confirmed her excellent end of the season already marked last week by clinching the French marathon champion title. She also allowed France to achieve its first victory in the Roc d’Azur Ladies since Maryline Salvetat in 2005. Victorious on Friday of the Canyon Roc Marathon, Hélène Marcouyre took second place just ahead of Fanny Bourdon, who had already finished third on Friday.
With victories in the Canyon Roc Marathon by Maxime Marotte and Hélène Marcouyre and the domination of the podiums this Sunday, the French have secured a clean sweep. A beautiful way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Roc d’Azur.
THE STARS OF TOMORROW? Martina Berta (ITA) among the cadettes, Lauraly Roche (FRA) among the junior girls, Niklas Schehl (GER) among the cadets, and Alessandro Saravalle (ITA) among the junior men, won in events where future champions have often distinguished themselves.
ROC TANDEMS: Already winners in 2013, Spaniards Adria Noguera Soldevilla and Cristofer Bosque Ruano won the Roc Tandems (44 km) ahead of the French pair composed of Claude Goudeau and Antoine Lavieu. Alexandre Aulas and Jeremy Ortiz completed the podium.
ROC RUELLES ROQUEBRUNE-SUR-ARGENS: Victory for a Swiss duo in the Roc Ruelles of Roquebrune-sur-Argens. In 34 minutes and 20 seconds for the six laps of the circuit traced in the heart of the city, Christophe Geiser and Patrick Lüthi prevailed 21 seconds ahead of the French Dennis Miramond and Victor Koretzky, third in the U23 Cross Country World Cup.
SEE YOU IN 2015: The next edition of the Roc d’Azur will take place from October 7 to 11, 2015.
