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The iodized air of Brittany was a perfect success for the athletes of Poissy Triathlon this Saturday in Quiberon, in Sprint format. Winner of the 4th stage of the Triathlon Grand Prix for both men and women, the Yvelines club has taken a big step towards winning a new double title of French club champion.
However, the Ile-de-France team triumphed in teams without winning the slightest individual victory. It is indeed the Liévinois Jelle Geens and the Grayloise Alberte Kjaer Pedersen who tasted the joys of the top step of the podium in the individual events.
A quality line-up for this 4th stage of the 2022 Grand Prix
Leader with two points in advance, Metz Triathlon presents itself without great certainty on the starting line due to the lack of many executives (Morlec, Servais, Hueber-Moosbrugger, Guerbeur). Its direct pursuers, Poissy Triathlon and the Triathlon Club Liévin, are, on the other hand, much more confident, despite the respective absences of Jawad Abdelmoula and Hayden Wilde. The line-up offered is of high quality with the presence of Léo Bergère, Pierre Le Corre (long distance world champion as well) and Dorian Coninx, authors of a hat-trick at the individual European championship in Munich. Unsurprisingly, this trio finds itself among the first out of the water, preceded however by the young junior from Saint-Jean-de-Monts, Léo Ouabdesselam.
On the favorite side, the good surprise came from Jelle Geens (Triathlon Club Liévin) who conceded only eleven seconds at the head of the race. The Belgian finds himself, therefore, projected into the leading group which includes around thirty units. The peloton of pursuers does not panic and picks up from the 2nd lap. They are now 6 in the lead. The end of the bike is marked by an attack by Robin Moussel (Evreux AC) who keeps a lead of ten seconds on his return to the bike park. Despite everything, Louis Vitiello manages to set off first on the pedestrian course, consisting of two 2.5 km loops. The Montois was quickly joined by a trio: his teammate Léo Bergère, Jelle Geens and the Briton Barclay Izzard (Poissy Triathlon). At the start of the last kilometer, there are only two left in a position to aim for victory: Jelle Geens and Léo Bergère. A better sprinter than the Frenchman, the Belgian took the victory thanks to lightning acceleration. The podium is completed by the indefatigable Pierre Le Corre.
An option for Poissy before the last stage
It was necessary to take out the abacus to know the identity of the winner among the clubs. Although endowed with the same number of points as Saint-Jean-de-Monts, Poissy Triathlon won thanks to the best ranking obtained by its third man (11th place for Antoine Duval, 14th place for Joao Pereira). The podium is completed by Les Sables Vendée, which is ahead of the Triathlon Club Liévin by five points.
A tight team fight for the girls
At the start of this 4th stage, the first three teams in the general classification each had an absence of marks to deplore (Léonie Périault for Poissy Triathlon, Jeanne Lehair for Metz Triathlon and Mathilde Gautier for the Tri Val de Gray). On the other hand, the double medalist of the Munich European Championship (bronze in individual and gold in mixed relay), Emma Lombardi is present in the starting box of the Vals Dauphiné Olympic. This one stood out from the outset by leaving the Atlantic Ocean first ahead of Lola Bachet (Saint-Avertin Sports Triathlon 37) and Léa Coninx (Poissy Triathlon). This trio is present in the group of breakaways of 28 competitors which is quickly forming. All the favorites are there except the Hungarian Zsanett Bragmayer (Metz Triathlon) and Célia Merle (Issy Triathlon). Chasers will no longer be able to play an active role in the race. As no competitor was able to deceive the vigilance of the leading peloton, everything will be decided on foot. A trio will very quickly gain ground over all its rivals. It is made up of Emma Lombardi, Sandra Dodet (Poissy Triathlon) and Alberte Kjaer Pedersen (Tri Val de Gray). The last word will go to the Dane. Silver is conquered by Sandra Dodet and bronze by Emma Lombardi.
As with the men, the fight for the team victory was very close. For a small point, it is finally Poissy Triathlon which wins the prize to the detriment of Issy Triathlon which nevertheless places three representatives in the Top 10. The Tri Val de Gray completes the podium.
Full results
Source: FFTRI – Photos Fabien Boukla / Activ Images
