XTERRA Nouvelle Aquitaine Preview: A Revamped Challenge Awaits

May 2, 2024

BEAUMONT-DU-LAC, FRANCE /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The highly anticipated 2024 edition of XTERRA Nouvelle Aquitaine marks the sixth stop on the XTERRA EMEA Tour, set to take place on May 4th. This year’s race boasts a completely redesigned course in Beaumont-du-Lac, promising an unpredictable challenge for even the most experienced professional off-road triathletes.

Recent colder-than-average temperatures have created a dynamic race environment, where strategic pacing and adaptability will be paramount for success. Athletes will embark on a demanding course that blends XTERRA’s renowned off-road triathlon format with the unique topography surrounding Vassivière Lake.

28 qualifying spots for the 2024 XTERRA World Championship and a €7,500 elite prize purse, surrounded by renowned French natural landscapes, promises a Full Distance Triathlon for rising stars, returning champions and legends in the game to give it their absolute best.

Course Details

Swim: 1.5K

Bike: 38K

Run: 11K

XTERRA Nouvelle Aquitaine features a course that begins with a 1.5K swim in Vassivière Lake, one of France’s largest reservoirs. This segment includes an Australian exit where athletes briefly exit the lake before diving back in for the continuation of the swim.

Following the swim, competitors will tackle a 38K bike course, 85% of which traverses trails and paths through wooded peaks, incorporating technical and demanding sections with a total elevation gain of 912 meters.

The competition concludes with an 11K trail run, organized in two laps over mostly flat winding trails with some hilly sections reaching 180 meters in elevation.

This redesigned course is crafted to challenge athletes with a blend of technical, physical, and scenic elements, leveling the playing field for both returning triathletes and newcomers.

Elite Start List

(World Ranking – Name, NAT)

Men

1 – Arthur Serrières, FRA

4 – Ruben Ruzafa, ESP

18 – Jules Dumas, FRA,

24 – Jens Roth, DEU

51 – Nicolas Durin, FRA

55- Nicolas Duré, FRA

64 – Baptiste Fordoxcel, FRA

66 – Pierre Simeon, FRA

71 – Samuale Jud, CHE

74 – Elliot Labourdette, FRA

86 – Timothée Augeul, FRA

94 – Aurélien Pinel, FRA

136 – Brian Tetard, FRA

141 – Marin Gautier, FRA

202 – Hugo Bourjon, FRA

289 – Romaric Ladet, FRA

Women

28 – Morgane Riou, FRA

37 – Camille Jobard, FRA

64 – Pauline Vie, PRT

Men’s Matchups and Predictions

Arthur Serrières (FRA), a decorated XTERRA athlete and current two-time World Champion, returns to XTERRA Nouvelle Aquitaine, an event he has dominated in the past, aiming for his fourth consecutive win. After securing a third-place finish at Stop #2 of the 2024 XTERRA World Cup on April 27, Serrières made a last-minute decision to enter this race, feeling he was in good shape but needing more rhythm to compete. He commented, “It’s really close from home and it was one of my first XTERRA victories too. I’m taking part [here] because it’s what I need right now to add another race before Oak Mountain (Stop #3 in the World Cup on May 18th).”

Facing him is Ruben ‘The Boss’ Ruzafa (ESP), three-time XTERRA World Champion, who recently secured the win at XTERRA Portugal on April 21, 2024. Ruzafa is an off-road triathlon legend looking to improve on his past performances at this venue, having finished second in 2021 and third in 2022. Regarding his expectations for the race, Ruzafa shared, “My performance will be unexpected for me, I want to give my best and to be on the podium, of course.” Serrières also expressed enthusiasm about competing with Ruzafa, noting, “I’m happy to meet Ruben again and it’ll be nice to have a close race.”

The swim segment is anticipated to be fiercely contested with Jules Dumas (FRA), who led out of the water at last weekend’s XTERRA Greece. Expecting a strong challenge from Jens Roth (DEU), known for his speed in the water. Dumas noted, “Last weekend, I did my best to control [the swim] and get ahead of the others, but this weekend there will be Jens [Roth] who swims very fast too.” He also expressed respect for Serrières and Ruzafa, “I think they are among the biggest names in XTERRA over the last 10 years. They have a lot of experience, they have won a lot of races. So these two competitors are difficult for me to hold onto in the race.”

Additionally, the men’s field features a compelling battle between two powerful MTB riders from France sharing similar names, Nicola Duré and Nicolas Durin. The latter with extensive race experience versus the less experienced but equally skilled Duré will showcase their skills notably in the mountain bike segment, adding another layer of excitement to the race dynamics.

Women’s Podium Chase

The women’s race at XTERRA Nouvelle Aquitaine is set to be a compelling comeback for Morgane Riou (FRA), who, after a break due to injury and military service, returns to the triathlon scene with seven XTERRA victories under her belt since 2018, including the 2019 XTERRA European Championship. Morgane shared her mixed feelings about her return: “This is a special race for me as it will be my first XTERRA of the year, after 2 years without a triathlon. I have to find my markers again so I don’t know what to expect from the race.”

Morgane also expressed concerns about the revised course and conditions: “I raced XTERRA Nouvelle Aquitaine 3 years ago, but the place has changed this year so it will be full of surprises! It will be a big challenge for me as I’m not used to such a long and rough race anymore! Cold water and rainy conditions will probably be the hardest to fight for everybody on Saturday!” Nevertheless, she remains optimistic about her strengths, particularly in the running segment: “I notice the trail includes some hilly parts. That is what I love, and I feel quite good at running now, so I hope I will be able to take advantage of this part.”

Joining her in the fray is Camille Jobard (FRA), who came off a 26th place finish at the XTERRA World Championship in Trentino, Italy last September. With eight top 10 finishes since 2018, Camille is gearing up for a strong performance. Pauline Vie (PRT), a strong contender who recently secured a third-place finish at XTERRA Portugal on April 21, will also be vying for the top spot. Reflecting on the upcoming contest, Vie expressed enthusiasm for the event, stating, “I’ve always loved XTERRA Nouvelle Aquitaine. I think that the new course will be a good and exciting challenge. I feel relaxed because it wasn’t planned, but excited to race and enjoy the effort.”

Vie anticipates a tough competition from fellow athletes Jobard and Riou by adding, “Camille and Morgane are two athletes that I like and admire. They will make the course intense for sure, but that’s what athletes race for, push until the limit and sometimes more.”

Additional Races and Festivities

XTERRA Nouvelle Aquitaine also offers a variety of races catering to age groupers, kids and trail runners. Participants can choose from the Super Sprint Triathlon, Sprint Triathlon and a Kid’s Race to ensure opportunities for everyone to get involved. For trail running enthusiasts, the XTERRA Trail Run World Series presents a 42K Marathon Trail Run and a 25K Half Marathon Trail Run as qualifiers for the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship, along with a 13K and a 7K Trail Run. Complementing these athletic events, the atmosphere will be enhanced with open air entertainment featuring a DJ and a variety of food trucks, making it a comprehensive sporting and cultural festival.

About XTERRA

XTERRA is a global lifestyle brand that champions the outdoor enthusiast in their pursuit of relentless adventure. From pioneering the sport of cross-triathlon in 1996, XTERRA has grown to become a leading brand in off-road adventure through the XTERRA World Tour, XTERRA Trail Run World Series and the XTERRA World Cup, connecting an eco-aware community of worldwide explorers that seek to protect the places where they play. For more information, visit xterraplanet.com.

High-res images for use here.