Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Laurent Jalabert Participates in Ironman France

Photos: Laurent Jalabert by Thierry Deketelaere

A quote from a press release:

"Ironman France will take place on 22 June 2008 is one of the biggest Ironman races in the world. The list of registered athletes counts 2700 entries, one of which is Laurent Jalabert’s. The former cyclist is one of the most decorated athletes ever. On 22 June in Nice he will challenge himself for the third time in an Ironman, but the very first time in his home country.


“I am of course happy to participate in Ironman France. Very happy, actually, and also very motivated for this new challenge.” declares Laurent Jalabert. He considered participating in 2007, but due to the change of the race date he had to start elsewhere. He chose Switzerland for his first long distance triathlon and continued at the World Championship in October. On 22 June this year, he will finally be at the starting line in his mother country.

Jalabert is the most decorated cyclist to ever give the Ironman challenge a try. He has won Paris-Nice three times, four stages of the Tour de France, three stages at the Giro d’Italia and 18 stages at the Vuelta – plus the World Time Trial Championships in 1997.

Laurent Jalabert will profit from the experience gained at his two former Ironman events when tackling the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and the marathon of 42.195km in the prestigious event that the Ironman France is.In Switzerland, he was ranked 41st with a final time of 9:24:29 – including a penalty of 12 minutes! A couple of months later in Hawaii, where most athletes suffer even more from the heat, humidity and the winds, he will improve his time and finish in 76th position with 9:19:58! He exited the water in 1143rd position in finished the 180km of cycling within 4 hours and 37 minutes. This is not only the best cycling time in his age group, he had the 26th best cycling time on the course which meant that he has overtaken more than 1000 athletes on the 180km of the bike leg!

When coming to Nice, months after the Ironman in Kona, Laurent Jalabert will have progressed even more. He has already proven that he has the capacities to handle the volume of an Ironman triathlon. And with the support from the locals, who know him well having won the Paris – Nice cycling race three times, Jalabert has the potential to do a brilliant race.

In only three years, the Ironman France succeeded in attracting a record number of athletes. The entries had to be closed five months ahead of the race. With an expected 2500 triathletes on the starting line on race day, no other race in Europe welcomes more athletes than Ironman France."

Information about IRONMAN France – Nice Triathlon
22 June 2008
3.8km SWIM | 180km BIKE | 42.195km RUN
50 qualifying slots for the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii
16 hours and more of show & sports on race day
Entries closed 5 months before race day
www.ironmanfrance.com
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