Jack Crap at National

Hi,

I was suposed to "race" national today in north-east of France. They were a race but not for me as I felt absolutly CRAP the whole way.
I just froze on the bike and I pulled out in hyporthermia. I felt a bit better after two saussages sandwiches , hot tea and lemonade.
To conclude briefly, I had a bad day, a really bad day... I almost can't believe how bad I was!
I guess I haven't recovered from my American business last week-end.
Now it's time to get back with Andrea and the kiwi clan in Pyrénées for some big miles.
Cheers Laurent

Getting back on track in HyVee World Cup

So that's that: I finished 12th in my first HyVee Triathlon World Cup.
5 weeks ago I was looking for a much bigger result. Now though with the buildup I had, I am honestly happy with my performance.
My swim and bike went ok. I didn't feel like I had loads of energy but I had enough to put myself in a safe position during the narrow bike course, quietly waiting for the last 10k.
As I have been injured recently, I wasn't sure if I could count on my run. I mean , I know I was fit but when you are part of a race with the best athletes in the world you really need to be at 100%.
Finally and quite surprisingly after spending so much time treating my ankle I was right there, in the bunch running for silver behind Tim Don (UK), who was on fire today.
Ok, I blew up on the last lap (lost 35 sec) but at least I know I am back in descent form and when I will put in some bigger mileage, I will be able to finish the 10k.
Tomorow is the end of the US journey. It was a great week, I really enjoyed being in Des Moines, Iowa with our home stay Cindy.
That was a really cool experience.
I will be back in France tomorrow and I will race the National Championship next week-end as I am the defending champion.Cheers
Laurent
Ps: Andrea got 5th on the women's race.
Huge congratulation to Tim Don for his show and to Kris Gemmell (NZL) who took silver after a complicated beginning of the season, you peaked right bro!

After the sushi roll, the rolled Ankle in Seoul.

Hi everyone,

Just a quick update from Seoul where the 2nd round of the WCS just finished.
The race started really well for me after exiting 5th out of the water and I had a safe ride up the front on the technical bike course.
I started the run pretty quickly and was batleling for the 4th position untill the 6km mark.
William Clarke (GBR) fell in front on me and while I tried to go around him my right ankle rolled.
After few meters the pain started to grow and I had to slow down on the last 3k loosing a precious time.
As I hate pulling out, I jogged to the line finishing and took the 21st position .
It's time now to do some medicals treatments and Xray. Hopefully there is nothing really serious.
Cheers
Laurent

8th in Sydney Series Opener

Hi everyone,

I started the World Championship Series with an 8th place finish.
It was a warm and nice day to race in Sydney beside the Opera house.
The course was technical and hilly which made the race pretty tough.
I exited out of the water up the front and rode safely on this fast course.
I putted myself into the lead of the main group in the 2nd tranistion about a minute after the leaders who broke away with 10k to go.
I had some great feelings on the first part of the run and I just sat waiting for my time.
Finally my time never came as I felt flat with 3k to go when Bevan Docherty ( The winner of the day) surged on the long hill of the course.
I kept the only pace I could go to secure a top 8 finish: Every point counts on the way to the World Championship title.
Even if I was looking for a little better result I am quite happy with my performance in a strong field as always in the WCS.
Now it's time to head back to New Zealand to start a new training block a bit different than the last 5 months to put some extra speed and drop some fatigue !

Full story of the race.
1 Bevan Docherty NZL 01:51:27
2 Alexander Brukhankov RUS 01:51:33
3 David Hauss FRA 01:51:34
4 Dmitry Polyansky RUS 01:51:40
5 Simon Whitfield CAN 01:51:42
6 Tony Moulai FRA 01:51:49
7 Greg Bennett AUS 01:51:53
8 Laurent Vidal FRA 01:51:54
9 Matt Chrabot USA 01:51:56
10 Hunter Kemper USA 01:52:07

It was great to be back on the circuit with all the guys.
Congratulation to all the frenchy with 3rd, 6th, 7th and 18th .
Happy for Andrea on Silver.
Cheers Laurent.