XTERRA France Marks Start of Big Time Racing in Europe

Press Release / 05.07.2019

The 13th annual XTERRA France off-road triathlon takes place this Sunday, July 7, in the beautiful Vosges mountains of Xonrupt. 

It’s the ninth of 14 stops on the 2019 XTERRA European Tour and the first of four consecutive gold events that dishes out bigger points, bigger prize purses, more Maui spots for amateurs, and annually attracts the best amateur and professional off-road triathletes from around the world.

This will be the 10th time the event will be staged at the beautiful lake of Longemer in northeastern France where huge crowds come out to watch thousands of competitors take on the XTERRA challenges.

The course itself is one of the toughest on the XTERRA World Tour, combining a 1.5K swim with a 40K mountain bike that climbs more than 1200 meters, and a 10K technical trail run through the forest. 

In the men’s elite race all eyes will be on the duel between seven-time world champ Ruben Ruzafa from Spain, who has won this race each of the last five years, and the reigning ITU Cross Tri World Champ Arthur Forissier from France, fresh off a victory at XTERRA Switzerland on Saturday.  Those two finished 1-2 in last year’s race and are certain to put on quite a show this Sunday.

Alongside Forissier, there will be four other French off-roaders with a real chance of winning at home. Arthur Serrieres upset Forissier to win XTERRA Greece, finished second at XTERRA Lake Garda, and just won the ETU Cross Duathlon Championships on Tuesday in Romania.

"I feel ready for my national XTERRA," said Serrieres. "I think Ruben will be too strong, so I hope for a top five and why not a podium, but I just raced in the ETU Cross Triathlon and Duathlon Championship and I have to see if I recovered enough."

The 2018 European Tour Champion François Carloni has been preparing specifically for this race looking to improve on his third-place finish in 2015, and veteran athlete Cedric Fleureton has posted two second place finishes this year at XTERRA Tahiti and Switzerland.  Then there’s the young gun, Maxim Chané, who will look to put on a big performance.

Strong Women's Field

The women’s elite race features a strong and deep field with 19 racers on the start list, including seven from last years’ top 10.   

The favorite must be Morgane Riou from France. She won XTERRA Italy Lake Garda, XTERRA Belgium, and the ETU Cross Triathlon and Duathlon last week in Romania.  Riou looks to become the first French woman to win in France since Marion Lorblanchet in 2010.

Helena Karaskova from the Czech Republic will be Riou’s biggest challenger. She has won XTERRA France twice before and won XTERRA Denmark three weeks ago, proving that she is still strong and ready to fight.

"I had a lot of time for training between Denmark and France," said Karaskova. "But this year, one day I feel very well and the next day I am pretty tired. XTERRA France is one of the most challenging races and I am looking forward to being there with all my family. As in Italy, my daughter will be racing XTERRA Kids on Saturday. That will be a nice start of the weekend."

Another fast runner is Camille Defer from France. She won XTERRA Switzerland last week and will also challenge for the podium. Finishing fifth overall last year as an age group athlete, and with a win in her pocket and some good confidence she should find her way on the podium.

"I'm ready and very motivated for Sunday," said Defer.  "Since Switzerland I only tried to rest and be in good shape. Last year, Xonrupt was my first XTERRA, so I can't wait to see my progress in this sport. I like the course in France: it's long with big climbs so it's perfect for me."  

Carina Wasle from Austria is the current European Tour leader. She won XTERRA Cyprus but after a DNF in Romania last week she may not be at 100%.

"When I think of XTERRA France I think of "beaucoup de bruits," monster ramp, high 5s, champagne shower...all those things come to my mind," said Wasle. "I usually finish in the top 3 in France, but I've never won this race. This year my preparation leading up to the biggest XTERRA wasn't the best. I'm still struggling to come back strong since my bike crash at XTERRA Greece. But XTERRA France suits me and I'm always aiming for a good finish. Maybe I surprise myself and I can do a good job again."

With a long bike course featuring some tough climbs, this may not be the race for the UK’s Nicole Walters. After struggling at the early season races, she showed a glimpse of what she is capable of at XTERRA Switzerland building a big lead before a broken wheel took her out of contention.

Fabiola Corona makes the trip all the way from Mexico to race in France. XTERRA Pan Am Tour Champion in 2018 and fifth at the 2019 Asia-Pacific Champs earlier this year shows that she is ready to fight for a top position in Europe.