Laporte and Hubner Light Up 2024 French Junior Tests

While the stars of the red carpet often draw attention in Cannes, at the weekend the potential future stars of triathlon were on display in the south of France as the French Junior tests returned.

The test itself consisted of three parts. The first stage was an 800m swim (long course). This was followed on the Saturday afternoon with a 3.6km bike test in a time trial format. The weekend then concluded on the Sunday with a 5000m run on the track. The order changed slightly from the 2023 test in which the swim took place on the Saturday and the run then preceded the bike on the Sunday.

Last year’s tests saw a number of outstanding performances. For example, Ilona Hadhoum became the fastest ever female performer and went on to thrive at the World Junior Championships and European Junior Championships.

This year, the tests will once again form a critical component of selection for international competition. They will to a large degree influence the teams at the World Junior Championships in Malaga (in October), the European Junior Championships in Balikesir (in August) and the European Youth Championships in Panevėžys (in August). Moreover, as per the French Junior selection policy for 2024, the tests will be used to determine selections for some European Junior Cups this season.

The Men

Martin Hubner was the star of the men’s weekend as he unleashed an electric 5000m to take the overall win. Last year, he logged the fastest run of the Junior men’s field (clocking 14:40.6). This time round, he was on another level altogether.

Hubner blasted a 14:24.4 over the 5000m to wipe away his deficit from the swim and bike. Being born in 2006, he will still be a Junior next year and, although it would be extremely difficult, it is not out of the realms of possibility that Hubner threatens a sub-14 minute 5km while still in the U19 ranks.

Taking 2nd overall was Achille Besson as he improved from his 3rd place in 2023. Besson was consistent throughout the weekend and was one of two men (alongside Anton Serieys) to be in the top-7 in all three disciplines. In the end, he finished less than 2 seconds behind Hubner and was simply overhauled by an inspired 5000m. Like Hubner, Besson is born in 2006 and he will have another shot at the win next season.

Notably, both Hubner and Fouchal beat the time of 30:02 that saw Gaspard Tharreau win in 2023.

Adam Fouchal moved up from 5th in 2023 to take 3rd in his final Junior test weekend. One of the surprises, though, came from Nils Serre Gehri. The World Junior Championships silver medallist finished 4th last year but managed only 6th overall this time round. Given how he improved through the 2023 season, he will nonetheless likely be a threat this year.

When it came to the individual disciplines, there were several noteworthy showings. While Hubner was the top runner, Maël Roux (12th overall) was the fastest swimmer in 8:51.3. Roux also placed third in the Youth category; the top male Youth performer was Martin Nedellec (10th overall) with Ben Fressier (11th overall) the next best.

Paul Delamare (13th overall) had best bike split of the field in 5:31.1. Last year Delamare was the fastest swimmer in 8:56.6 (this year he was the third fastest in 8.57.7).

You can compare the results to last year here.

The Women

Manon Laporte was utterly dominant in the women’s test. She was the fastest swimmer, the fastest cyclist and then delivered the second fastest run of the field. When all of that was pieced together, she took the win by over a minute.

Her exceptional levels should come as little surprise. Laporte claimed the bronze medal at the World Junior Championships last summer. Looking ahead to this year’s edition of the championships, she has certainly planted flag as an early favourite. This time last year, Laporte completed the test in 33:34 and her new time of 32:58 speaks to a remarkable improvement.

Moreover, she came close to Ilona Hadhoum’s 2023 performance of 32:45 which rendered her the best female performer on record at the French Junior tests. Laporte, then, will likely be a force this season.

Léa Houart, the 2022 European Youth champion and a European Junior Cup winner, was the runner-up in Cannes. She improved her position from 3rd overall last year, although her total time was slightly quicker in 2023 (33:51). Being a Youth athlete, she was not selected for any international Junior championships in 2023. This year, though, she will probably get her chance to show what she can do.

Ambre Grasset and Anouk Rigaud have also won medals at European Junior Cups and then claimed 3rd and 4th. Grasset was the best female runner of the weekend in 17:08.8 while Rigaud’s 6:15.9 was the second fastest bike split (and only 2.5 seconds behind Laporte’s showing).

Rigaud was also the top Youth performer. She was followed by Rosalie Gallant (6th overall) and Mia Ressencourt (9th overall).

After another impressive test weekend, it is clear that the French Junior athletes will need to watched closely this year.

The full communication from the French federation can be read here.