The penultimate round of the French Grand Prix in Quiberon saw Poissy Triathlon take what appears to be an unassailable lead at the top of the women’s standings. They won the round and in doing so extended their margin at the top to 14 points.
In general, there was little movement in the women’s rankings after Quiberon. Looking ahead to the final race this weekend, the main action could come from the teams in the midfield.
1st) Poissy Triathlon – 76 points (no change)
Poissy gained 4 points on their closest rivals in Quiberon as they put on an assured display. Although they did not quite hit the heights of previous races – none of their women broke into the top-5 – they nonetheless had too much power for their rivals.
The World Junior champion Ilona Hadhoum was their top finisher in 7th place. Kristelle Congi was the next woman home in 9th while Natalie Van Coevorden had a good race to take 10th.
Right now, Poissy are a perfect blend of youth and experience and have every possible base covered. They have been brilliant this season and it is almost impossible to see them missing out on the title now.
2nd) Les Sables Vendée Triathlon – 62 points (no change)
The dream continues.
Les Sables Vendée took 3rd overall in Quiberon. Valentina Riasova won her second straight race while Diana Isakova brought home the silver medal. Tiphaine Brun then completed the scoring in 31st; that third score is what dropped Les Sables Vendée from the top spot.
It says plenty about their season that not winning a round could possibly be cause for disappointment. With a 4 point buffer over 3rd place, Les Sables Vendée should be able to hold on to their rank. If they do so, they will complete the most remarkable newly-promoted season of recent memory.
3rd) Issy Triathlon – 58 points (no change)
Issy were a smidge behind Les Sables Vendée in 4th. Audrey Merle was once again a key factor in their success as she finished 5th. Celia Merle and Anne Holm then followed in 16th and 18th, respectively.
Overall, it seems that Issy have done enough to lock down a well-deserved podium position. They will need to be careful at the final race, though, as Liévin are rising.
4th) Triathlon Club Liévin – 53 points (no change)
Inspired by a big performance from Kira Hedgeland, Liévin finished 2nd in Quiberon. The Australian had a fantastic day. Moreover, she was not alone. Jaz Hedgeland delivered with 8th place while Alessia Orla took 15th.
Liévin actually tied with Poissy in terms of finishing positions but ultimately took 2nd place with the slower times.
With the Hedgelands to call upon, they can look to potentially steal 3rd place in the final. With a 5 point gap to make up, though, it may be a bridge too far.
5th) Tri Val de Gray – 45 points (up 1 place)
Val de Gray were the first team to move up the rankings after Quiberon. Their 7th place saw them up a solitary place overall.
Appoline Foltz led the way in 14th while Chiara Lobba finished 19th. Lea Marchal then came home in 30th place.
A similar performance at the final should lock up 5th overall as they have a healthy buffer to the teams below.
6th) Valence Triathlon – 39 points (up 4 places)
After finishing 6th in QUiberon, Valence now lead a crowded midfield that are all fighting for a place in the top-6.
Maria Tomé stepped up once again with her 4th place and has been a real boon to the team this year. The British duo of Libby Coleman and Daisy Davies also impressed with their finishes of 12th and 17th, respectively.
As a result, Valence gained the most places of any women’s team. However, they could just as easily fall down the rankings with a bad race in the final. They are separated by a mere 5 points from 12th place and a bad day could see them fall from the top-10.
7th) Brive Limousin Triathlon – 38 points (down 2 places)
Brive are the cautionary tale for the teams in the midfield. They finished 15th in Quiberon and lost 2 places in the standings. A repeat of their performance in the final will almost certainly see them fall out of the top-10.
Morgan Branchoux was the top finisher in 36th place. Celina Senia then managed 55th place and Lisa Treille ended up in 73rd.
Brive will need to bounce back and fast if they are to hold off the teams gathering below.
8th) Vals du Dauphiné Olympic – 37 points (no change)
Vals du Dauphiné did not completely hit their full capacity in Quiberon and it showed as they mustered 10th place.
Iratxe Arenal Arribas finished 26th and Manon Laporte ended up in 29th, a little way off what she is capable of. Myral Greco then crossed the finish line in 34th place.
Like the teams around them, they will need a perfect finale if they are to stay in the top half.
9th) Metz Triathlon – 37 points (up 3 places)
Metz had exactly the race they needed in Quiberon. A 5th place bumped them up 3 places in the standings and drew them level with Vals du Dauphiné.
Zsanett Bragmayer had a sterling day as she took 6th place. Margot Garabedian likewise showed signs of her top form as she claimed 11th place. Pauline Landron then provided the depth they needed with her 25th place.
If Metz can repeat their efforts at the last race, a place in the top-6 could be calling.
10th) Triathlon Toulouse Métropole – 35 points (down 3 places)
Toulouse had a day similar to Brive and were forced to settle for 13th overall.
Paola Sacchi earned 40th place while Oceane Le Bris and Gwladys Larzul both missed the top-50 (finishing 53rd and 57th, respectively).
Every finishing position will matter for them in the final as they strive to hold onto their spot in the top-10.
11th) Les Tritons Meldois – 34 points (down 2 places)
Led by Anna Witteveen in 33rd, Les Tritons Meldois finished 12th overall. Marit Van Den Berg and Meghan Bazire added finishes of 43rd and 45th, respectively. That, however, was not enough to keep the team inside the top-10.
A big race in Saint-Jean-des-Monts could turn things around, but it will be tight.
12th) Groupe Triathlon Vesoul Haute-Saône – 34 points (down 1 place)
Vesoul Haute-Saône were quietly efficient on their way to 8th in Quiberon. Even though they lost a place in the standings, they could be a team to watch in Saint-Jean-des-Monts.
Lena Vaillier Francois was the top performer for the team in 21st. Charlotte Faivre was right behind her in 23rd place. To complete the scoring, Hannelore Willen took 35th place.
A similar result in the final could bump Vesoul Haute-Saône into the top-10.
13th) Stade Poitevin Triathlon – 31 points (no change)
Similarly to Vesoul Haute-Saône, Stade Poitevin had a good race in Quiberon and finished 9th.
Paula del Pozo Borrachero produced a finish of 22nd while Ellie White managed 28th place. Hollie Elliott was the third woman home in 37th place.
Getting into the top-10 is not an impossible task. To do so, they will need to have a big race in the last round.
14th) T.C.G. 79 Parthenay – 26 points (no change)
T.C.G. 79 Parthenay finished 11th in Quiberon and all but guaranteed that they will not be relegated. It was already a faint prospect but with an 11 point buffer they are essentially safe.
Luisa Iogna-Prat had a good race to take 13th place. Mathilde Locatelli and Julie Iemmolo then followed in 32nd and 44th, respectively.
The team will not have a great deal to race for beyond pride in Saint-Jean-des-Monts. Still, they could impress seeing as they now have nothing to lose.
15th) Lys Calais Triathlon – 15 points (no change)
Lys Calais ended up in last place in Quiberon which has basically confirmed their fate. Martha Carlton Seal finished 50th, Zia Pille Yard finished 63rd and Roxanne Forient finished 67th.
As one of the two promoted teams, they have not had the same astonishing success as Les Sables Vendée. Nevertheless, they have acquitted themselves well and will look to put in a final big effort at their last taste of the top division for now.
16th) Saint-Avertin Sports Triathlon 37 – 9 points (no change)
This season has not clicked for Saint-Avertin. Having finished 12th in 2022, they will be relegated.
In Quiberon they finished 14th, with Lola Bachet their top performer in 42nd. Izia Duterrage took 52nd place and Maelys Fardeau landed in 66th.
It has not been their best year but they will be back.
