Forced into forced rest last year because of stubborn Lyme disease, Xavier Thévenard is gradually finding the right feelings to approach the year 2023 with renewed ambition.
The triple winner of the Ultra-trail du Mont-Blanc (2013, 2015 and 2018) is still finalizing his program for the coming season, but this should include two important meetings, the Lavaredo Ultra Trail in June in Cortina D 'Ampezzo, preparatory test for a hoped-for comeback at the UTMB in Chamonix.
The race in Italy should allow him to obtain essential points to qualify for the flagship event in the French station.
“
It is not because we have won the race three times that we are automatically selectable, confides the Jura resident who does not ask for a free pass or an invitation.
At least everyone plays the game and the system is egalitarian.
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Looking for a fourth victory in the discipline's most iconic race, Xavier Thévenard is continuing his winter preparation in cross-country skiing.
On the program, four or five hours on skis to cross his native Jura.
“
I can build volume without putting too much strain on my body like in running and I feel like things are going in the right direction.
The form is pretty much there right now.
All these sessions stored with positive waves make it possible to consolidate the fact that health is there and morale follows
”, explains “Pepino” joined between a morning training session and an afternoon renovating his farm in Moussières, a small haven peace located at almost 1300 meters above sea level.
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Away from his playground due to illness, the ultra-trailer has not competed in an event since last March.
"
I had done a little trail in April but at the time it was not going at all
," adds the athlete from the Maif Sport Planète team, who should be able to judge his state of form this weekend by taking part in the Transjurassienne, a monument to cross-country ski racing in France.
An appointment that the child of the country will approach for the 10th time in the Jura mountains and maintained despite the lack of snow cover.
The queen event scheduled for Sunday has thus been reduced from 70 to 50 km to allow the 4,000 participants to take full advantage of the route.