Previewing Sunday’s Challenge Vichy
Host of the ETU European Long Distance Triathlon Championships.
France is gearing up to host the official ETU European Long Distance Triathlon Championships at Challenge Vichy this weekend on Sunday September 1.
In the midst of this beautiful spa town of the volcanic region Auvergne, with the high quality of professional athletes we can expect fast times in the vicinity of 8h:20 min in this race cut out for riders.
The French will have to work hard in order to shine at home to take the title of ETU European Long Distance Champion. Four French competitors stand out: Trevor DELSAUT José JEULAND, and Sylvain Denis CHEVROT ROTA. They must be wary of the Portuguese Sergio BRANDS, Andrei Vistica of Croatia and Italian Massimo CIGANA.
In the women’s, Anne BASSO is the only competitor to defend the French colours in the Elite. Her opposition is very strong with no less than seven Germans, including Beate GOERTZ, Diana Riesler, WOYSCH Nicole, and Dana WAGNER. Three other competitors will also try to claim the podium, Dianne MCEWANN (South Africa), Kristin LIE (Norway) and, Vanessa PERREIRA from Portugal.
The swim will take place in the Lac d’Allier, which usually hosts national rowing events
The 180kms bike race starts with 20km in the hilly woods of Randan before delivering an incredible view of the Limagne plain with the backdrop of the Auvergne Volcanoes!
The marathon is run in the famous parks of Vichy and along the banks of the Allier river before reaching the finish line area where two over excited commentators and a crazy DJ will be waiting, along with a crowd of thousands, to welcome they across the line.
In this, the third, Challenge Vichy nearly 1,400 triathletes from 31 nationalities, have been drawn to race in Vichy, in the heart of Europe. For further information and race coverage, visit www.challengevichy.com