Today we have part 2 of the women’s French Grand Prix preview. You can view part 1 here.
This section contains a number of teams with very different expectations for the season. Some will be hoping to make the jump into the top-8, some will be hoping to avoid relegation and the newly promoted teams will be hoping to consolidate their D1 status.
Les Tritons Meldois
2022 position: 9th
Star names: Bianca Bogen (GER), Meghan Bazire (FRA), Marit Van Den Berg (NED)
Last season started almost as well as possible when the team earned 3rd place at Fréjus. That day, Bianca Bogen, Meghan Bazire and Marit Van Den Berg combined to dazzling effect.
In Dunkerque, they then slipped to 12th. However, they bounced back to take 6th place in Metz following the arrival of German reinforcements, Tanja Neubert and Julia Brocker.
When they have a full complement of athletes, Les Tritons Meldois are top-8 material. Without their German contributions, though, a lot of pressure falls upon Bazire’s and Van Den Berg’s shoulders.
This season will likely be similar to last year with fluctuating fortunes. By the end of the year, Les Tritons Meldois should be safely in the top-10.
T.C.G 79 Parthenay
2022 position: 10th
Star names: Cecilia Santamaria Surroca (ESP), Melanie Santos (POR), Camila Alonso Aradas (ESP)
Parthenay had a similar season to Les Tritons Meldois in 2022. They finished 4th in the opening round but then slipped to 13th in Dunkerque.
Cecilia Santamaria Surroca twice contributed last season and if she is available on a more regular basis the team can look towards the top-8. Similarly if they can get Melanie Santos racing then the team will be in a strong position.
Luisa Iogna Prat finished 14th at Quiberon in her only scoring race. That day the team slipped to 14th overall with the other two scorers finishing outside the top-50. Depth is therefore a weak point for Parthenay.
Their French athletes are generally quite young but each have the potential to improve. Julie Iemmolo is probably the likeliest of the domestic team members to step up.
If Iemmolo and a couple of others can race well and Parthenay can get a few of their international recruits racing a tad more often, a top-8 will be on the cards this season.
Valence Triathlon
2022 position: 11th
Star names: Maria Tomé (POR), Noemie Beaulieu (CAN), Franka Rust (GER)
Franka Rust was a stalwart for the team last year. In the opening race she was the point of difference that kept Valence from finishing last in the team rankings. Thereafter she was a fixture among Valence’s top-3 finishers.
Later in the season, Daisy Davies and Noemie Beaulieu arrived to provide some much-needed reinforcements. As young athletes, both can be expected to go even better this year.
In addition, another British and Canadian duo could be useful parts of the team this year. Lizzy Edge was in good form at the British performance assessments while Maïra Carreau is in form following a 6th place at the Americas Cup in Sarasota. If they can share the scoring burden, Valence will enjoy a little more flexibility.
The most intriguing option the team could call open, though, is Maria Tomé. After a best World Cup finish in New Plymouth, she could be set for a big season.
If Valence get a strong team out in the first to rounds, they could rise several places up the rankings.
Saint-Avertin Sports Triathlon 37
2022 position: 12th
Star names: Lola Bachet (FRA), Heidi Juránková (CZE), Vanessa Possberg (SUI)
Lola Bachet was the centrepiece of the Saint-Avertin team in 2022. At four races, she was the highest finisher of the team. Those finishes included results of 20th, 22nd, 20th, 21st so she was evidently a consistent athlete. As such, she can be trusted to be a significant part of Saint-Avertin’s hopes in 2023.
Beyond Bachet, there are a few young talents in the team. Heidi Juránková is a promising young Czech athlete and has already finished 8th in Sarasota this year. In addition Giada Stegani was among the top-3 athletes in the team last season and thereby helped towards points. Vanessa Possberg is another youngster that could contribute.
The team does not quite have the big name athlete to match some of their rivals but they could do very well. A top-10 overall finish is possible for them but they will need everything to go right for them.
Groupe Triathlon Vesoul Haute-Saône
2022 position: 13th
Star names: Eva Daniels (LUX), Charlotte Faivre (FRA), Lena Vaillier Francois (FRA)
Last season started so well for the team as they finished 9th, 7th and 8th in the first three races. However, they finished their campaign with consecutive 16th places, turning what could have been a comfortable top-10 overall into 13th.
Charlotte Faivre and Lena Vaillier Francois were essential to the early success of last year. At both Fréjus and Dunkerque, they were the team’s highest two finishers.
However, in Quiberon, Vaillier Francois finished 18th but Faivre was absent. Then, in the final round, neither Vaillier Francois nor Faivre had great races.
The lesson from last year is therefore clear. If Faivre and Vaillier Francois have good seasons, Groupe Triathlon Vesoul Haute-Saône will too.
It will be tricky for the team to break into the top-10 if they are dependant on two athletes. On the flip side, Faivre and Vaillier Francois could have electrifying seasons and carry Vesoul Haute-Saône to a spectacular season.
Triathlon Toulouse Métropole
2022 position: 14th
Star names: Celine Kaiser (GER), Karolina Helga Horváth (HUN), Iria Rodriguez Huertas (ESP)
The highlight of Toulouse’s season last year was their 7th place in Quiberon. That day, Gwladys Larzul led the way for the team and she is on balance the leading French athlete on the team.
Toulouse can also call upon reliable international athletes like Iria Rodriguez Huertas and Karolina Helga Horváth. Rodriguez finished 10th in the first round of 2022 while Horváth finished 25th in Dunkerque and 26th in Quiberon.
A combination of Larzul, Rodriguez and Horváth would be competitive at most races. However Toulouse are unlikely to be able to field all three throughout the season. As a result, they will have to pick their moments. As the lowest ranked returning team from last season, they will be aware that the threat of relegation hangs over them.
Having added Celine Kaiser, though, they may have another athlete that can bring important finishes to the team.
On paper, Toulouse do not look like a team that will go down and if anything could rise a place or two from last season.
Les Sables Vendée Triathlon
2022 position: Promoted from D2
Star names: Jeanne Lehair (LUX), Alexia Bailly (FRA), Tiphanie Brun (FRA)
Jeanne Lehair is a standout addition to the team. She won’t be available for every race (for example she will be racing WTCS Yokohama instead of the first race in Fréjus) however with two or three appearances she will elevate the team considerably.
After her recent showing at the French Cross Country Championships and the European Cup in Quarteira, she will have a strong chance of featuring in at least the top-10 at her races and maybe even repeating her medal-winning performance from last season.
The team was promoted from D2 after winning three of the four races in 2022. As such, they are not wholly dependent on Lehair.
Last year Alexia Bailly finished 2nd in Dunkerque and 5th in Saint-Jean-des-Monts. Furthermore Tiphanie Brun also contributed three top-5 finishes in D2. The team therefore possesses a strong foundation and will hope other athletes will step up for them this season.
Remaining in D1 will be the goal for the campaign. Along the way there will likely be some struggles as the team adapts to the new division. However, when Les Sables Vendée has a full strength team, they will almost certainly be safe this year.
Lys Calais Triathlon
2022 position: Promoted from D2
Star names: Lisa Lecompte (FRA), Zia Pille Yard (FRA), Jeanne Cucheval (FRA)
Lys Calais will go into the new season with the same aspiration as Les Sables Vendée: staying up.
In 2022, Lisa Lecompte was the most reliable performer for the team. She won two silver medals and finished 5th. Of the athletes in the team, Lecompte looks the best equipped to succeed in D1 and could achieve some important high finishes.
The only question will be how their athletes react to the higher level.
Whereas Les Sables Vendée have someone with the experience of Lehair to step in, Lys Calais will mainly depend on the same cohort that earned them promotion. Sticking with the tried and trusted could pay off, particularly if Jeanne Cucheval and Zia Pille Yard have good seasons.
It is hard to say at this point as the team is new, but Lys Calaias could either spend the season battling against relegation or fighting for a spot in the top-12. After the opener in Fréjus, things will likely be a little clearer.
