In a little over a month, the French Grand Prix series will kick off for 2023.
Consisting of five Sprint triathlons across five stages, the series will involve some of the best triathletes in the world and is one of the premier team competitions in elite triathlon. French stars including Léo Bergere, Pierre Le Corre, Emma Lombardi and more will turn out for their teams while a range of international triathletes will also be taking part.
At each race, a team can be represented by up to five athletes with the three best finishers per club counting towards the overall result.
Across the teams, varying approaches will be at play. Some teams prefer to prioritise home-grown athletes, especially those that have been a part of the club for years. By contrast, other teams tend to focus on bringing in big names for races to maximise their chances of wins.
In 2022, there were nineteen men’s teams and eighteen women’s. The best men’s team could receive 23 points at an event while the 19th ranked team earned 2 points. Meanwhile 22 points were on offer to the best women’s team and then dropped to 2 points for 18th.
This year seventeen men’s teams and sixteen women’s teams are slated to take part. The exact points distribution for the upcoming season will be confirmed in due course.
The first division of the series is the focus here, although teams can be promoted from and relegated to below divisions. With relegation a factor, the intrigue of the season will be at the lower end of the rankings as much as it will at the top of the table.
In December, it seemed like Metz Triathlon were headed for troubled waters as they suffered a judicial investigation and the loss of several of its best athletes, including Jeanne Lehair.
2023 Schedule
- 13 May – Fréjus
- 17 June – Bordeaux
- 1/2 July – Metz
- 2 September – Quiberon
- 9 September – Saint-Jean-de-Monts
Most Titles
On the men’s side, Poissy Triathlon lead the way with eleven series wins. E.C Sartrouville have won seven titles while Beauvais Triathlon have five wins to their name.
Likewise, there have only been three winning teams on the women’s side. Poissy, again, lead the way with sixteen triumphs. Matching the men’s team, Beauvais Triathlon have five women’s titles. Finally, TC Boulogne-Billancourt et Tricastin TC have two wins.
Last season, Poissy won both the men’s and women’s crowns. Indeed, Poissy have won every women’s title since 2012.
2022
Men’s Top-3
- Poissy Triathlon – 113.5 points
- Triathlon Club de Lieven – 103.5 points
- Les Sables Vendée Triathlon – 95.5. points
Women’s Top-3
- Poissy Triathlon – 110 points
- Tri Val de Gray – 99 points
- Metz Triathlon – 96 points
Men’s Race Winners
- Fréjus – Jawad Abdelmoula (Poissy)
- Dunkerque – Matthew Hauser (Triathlon Club de Lievin)
- Metz – Triathlon Club de Lievin (relay)
- Quiberon – Jelle Geens (Triathlon Club de Lievin)
- Saint-Jean-des-Monts – Alex Yee (Valence Triathlon)
Women’s Race Winners
- Fréjus – Sandra Dodet (Poissy)
- Dunkerque – Emma Lombardi (Vals Du Dauphine Olympic)
- Metz – Poissy Triathlon (relay)
- Quiberon – Alberte Kjaer Pedersen (Tri Val de Gray)
- Saint-Jean-des-Monts – Alberte Kjaer Pedersen (Tri Val de Gray)
Watch this space for a full preview of each team coming this week.
