French pass final triathlon test in Lausanne

France ensured a successful final test before September’s Para Triathlon World Championships, as they won half of the gold medals on offer at the World Cup on Saturday (18 August) in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The sixth and penultimate event on the 2018 circuit was the final international competition before the world’s best head to Gold Coast, Australia, for the Worlds.

Ahmed Andaloussi (1:13:13) led a French one-two in the men’s PTWC, finishing ahead of compatriot Alexandre Paviza to secure his third World Cup win of the season.

Paviza led by 12 seconds exiting the swim, but Andaloussi overtook on the run to eventually beat his compatriot by 14 seconds. Japan’s Jumpei Kimura finished third, a week after claiming his fourth Asian title.

There was further success for France as Alexis Hanquinquant, Emilie Gral and Arnaud Grandjean all fine-tuned their preparations for the Worlds. They each won their respective events to ensure France topped the medals table.

Hanquinquant (1:07:12) was second out of the water in the men’s PTS4, but he pulled away on the bike and extended his lead even further on the run to win. Japan’s Hideki Uda crossed the line four minutes later. Ireland’s Andrew Nicholson secured his first international medal with third place.

In the women’s PTS5, Gral (1:23:34) was victorious in a head-to-head battle with Switzerland’s Stephanie Baumann.

Arnaud Grandjean (1:10:44) and Antoine Perel finished first and second respectively in the men’s PTVI to secure another French one-two. Spain’s Daniel Llambrich Gabriel completed the podium.

France’s PTS3 word champion Marc (1:31:34) beat out compatriot Mona Francis in the women’s PTWC.

Back to winning ways

There were also two French representatives on the men’s PTS2 podium as Stephane Bahier took silver and Jules Ribstein bronze. But the victory went to Great Britain’s Andy Lewis (1:12:53) who returned to winning ways ahead of his world title defence.

Lewis was one of two British winners in Lausanne, as George Peasgood (1:04:34) secured his third win of the season in the men’s PTS5. A quick swim from Peasgood put the British competitor in a strong position and, despite France’s Yannick Bourseaux closing Peasgood’s lead on the bike and run, Peasgood crossed the line a minute ahead. Japan’s Tetsuki Kaji claimed bronze.

World champion’s new guide

Australia’s double PTVI world champion Katie Kelly followed up her victory at the Devonport World Cup at the start of the year with a win in Lausanne. Kelly (1:19:24) produced a dominant display with new guide Briarna Silk to finish over six minutes ahead of France’s Annouck Curzillat. The Netherlands’ Joleen Hakker finished third, securing her first international podium spot since silver at the 2016 Worlds.

Japan’s PTS4 world champion Mami Tani (1:27:10) continued her unbeaten international triathlon career, finishing ahead of Ireland’s Cassie Cava.

Finland’s Liisa Lilja completed the women’s PTS2 course in 1:34:58, which was her first international event since 2017 Worlds gold.

South African champion Charl Parkin crossed the line in 1:35:43 in the men’s PTS3.

Full results from the Lausanne World Cup can be found on the International Triathlon Union website.