Pierre Le Corre took on the Infinitri 113 Triathlon Peñíscola at the weekend. Across distances of 1.9km, 85km and 21km, Le Corre completed the course in a time of 3:45:41 to take the win by 1 minute 17 seconds.
A field-leading 1:09:29 run split helped him to seal the deal ahead of Josh Amberger and Jannik Schaufler.
Also racing in Peñíscola was Le Corre’s fellow Les Sables Vendée Triathlon competitor, Alexia Bailly. Bailly took 2nd place, 2 minutes behind Emilie Morier. Bailly and Morier were well-matched on the swim and run and it was on the bike that Morier found her advantage.
To highlight how well Morier and Bailly raced, they beat Ashleigh Gentle, one of the foremost names in women’s long distance triathlon right now. Gentle finished 3rd, 1 minute 40 seconds behind Bailly.
Although Morier has not raced on the short distance scene since 2021, the 2019 world U23 champion would undoubtedly make an impact were she to return.
If there is a question mark over Morier’s return to the WTCS, a similar one hovers around Le Corre’s future.
Namely, it is currently up in the air as to how much of a priority Le Corre will consider the Series going forward. Already an Olympian from 2016, another Games in Paris might not hold the same lustre. That being said, a home Olympics could just be the carrot to incentivise him to fully dial in on short distance racing.
Having won a silver medal at the European Championships in Munich last year, he has the speed to compete in the WTCS.
Yet the combination of Leo Bergere, Vincent Luis and Dorian Coninx will make for a tough trio to beat to make the French team next year. Furthermore, after a World Long Distance Championships win in Samorin last year, Le Corre has a lot of potential over the longer distances. With more success and potentially better pay on offer, it may be a sensible career decision.
The French team would no doubt benefit from a having an athlete of his experience and acumen at WTCS races, particularly if they are to pursue their breakaway strategy. At the WTCS Final in Abu Dhabi, Le Corre was a crucial lieutenant in helping Bergere’s attack stick.
He is due to make his first WTCS start of the season in Cagliari. Thereafter, though, Le Corre may increasingly look to new challenges.
