It was necessary at all costs to beat the British Beth Potter to hope to win the title of world champion. But by taking third place in the Grand Final of the World Triathlon Championship Series organized this Sunday in Pontevedra, Spain, Cassandre Beaugrand will have to settle for the silver medal.
At the front after the swim/bike sequence, the Frenchwoman failed to keep up with the pace set in running by Beth Potter and her compatriot Kate Waugh. Second in the Test Event organized in August in Paris (already behind Beth Potter), the native of Livry-Gargan (Seine-Saint-Denis) signs here her first world podium among the elites and achieves at 26 years the best season of her career.
"I tried to keep a rhythm but I cramped on the run. It was very hard in the head. I tried to push as much as possible but it was not my best day for sure, she admitted afterwards at the microphone of World Triathlon. I didn't have the best start in swimming but I felt good on the bike. I'm sad because I was really close to the title."
Emma Lombardi third at just 22 years old
Long in contact with Beth Potter and Kate Waugh, the other French, Emma Lombardi, 22 years old finally finished sixth in this final but she retains her third place in the world ranking. "I'm very happy, it's only my second season in the seniors," she said after the race. I will keep the positive and the podium. Next year my goal remains to go to Paris, and I will give the best. I'm going to train even harder."
A double podium and a feat for the two French while until now, no French had managed to climb on this podium of the World Championships. One year before the Paris 2024 Games, and the day after Dorian Coninx's world title in the men's category, the France team continues to make an impression.
Disappointment on the other hand for the third Frenchwoman entered on this race. Léonie Périault, fifth at the Tokyo Games, finished in 35th place.
