Four days after I left Poitier where I won my 3rd national title, I headed up to Germany to compete in the 25th edition of the prestigious Garmin Alpen Triathlon.
This event also doubled as the BundesLiga grand final.
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| A transition area in between lake and mountains |
I already competed there last year and took the silver medal behind my good mate Will Clarke from Britain. Just like the 2012 French Champs, Schliersee is an old school triathlon with a one lap very hilly bike and a run in the middle of stunning mountains.
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| Final climb with Will Clarke |
The bike leg consists of 40k with 4 hills finishing with a 5k climb followed by a roller coaster 10k off road at 1100m altitude.
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| In the lead with Will Clarke up the last climb |
In the breakaway with Will Clarke in the last hill, I won the race after a little bit more than 2h in front of the German Olympian Christian Prochnow and my french team mate Tony Moulai.
Right at the finish I was delighted to taste the Kaisersmarren, a local speciality which is pretty much a massive thick pancake.
Right at the finish I was delighted to taste the Kaisersmarren, a local speciality which is pretty much a massive thick pancake.
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| The podium of the day. |
Without any doubt it was a great reward for all the 1000 athletes who competed but also a good way to short cut the beginning of a bonk.
1/ Laurent Vidal (FRA) 2h00min39sec
2/ Christian Prochnow (GER) 2h00min59sec
3/ Tony Moulai (FRA) 2h01min31sec
4/ Jonathan Zipf (GER) 2h01min36sec
5/ David Hauss (FRA) 2h02min16sec
In the woman's race, it's also a french who won as Charlotte Morel crossed the finish line ahead of Simic (SVL) and Mueller (GER).
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| Team EJOT |
Next stop Yokohama and Auckland for the last two events of the World Triathlon Series but first I will spend some time with my friends and family.
Cheers,
Laurent.
Photos courtesy of Team EJOTCheers,
Laurent.
