On August 15, T100 revealed the start list for the men’s French Riviera race, and it stands out as the deepest contracted athlete field of the season. Seventeen athletes are heading to Saint-Raphael for Round 5 of the series, and the return of the top seven finishers from London guarantees another race packed with intensity. In London, those seven athletes were separated by just four minutes and fifteen seconds, underscoring how tightly contested this series has become.
Standings and Storylines
At the top of the leaderboard sits Mika Noodt with 93 points. Right on his heels are Jelle Geens in second with 90 points and Rico Bogen in third with 84. Hayden Wilde, currently fifth with 70 points, is chasing his third victory of the season and arrives in saint-Raphael as the man many believe to be the one to beat. Together, Noodt, Geens, Bogen, and Wilde represent the four biggest names on the start list, each with a legitimate shot at the win.
Other athletes with a chance to make major moves include Youri Keulen in sixth (55 points), Antonio Benito Lopez in seventh (52), Kyle Smith in eighth (43), Leo Bergere in ninth (40), and Mathis Margirier in tenth (36). Importantly, Hayden Wilde, Kyle Smith, Leo Bergere, and Mathis Margirier have raced only twice so far this season. With a strong performance in the French Riviera, they could maybe contend for a podium and make a significant move up the standings – the kind of result that would mark a breakthrough in their seasons.
Athletes to Watch
Morgan Pearson is one to keep an eye on. After taking seventh in Vancouver, he showed off his swim and run prowess by recording the fastest splits in each. His raw speed makes him a podium threat if he can stitch together the full race.
For Bergere, this race carries extra weight. He will be racing in his hometown of Saint-Raphael, where he admitted in a June interview with 220 Triathlon that he would like to win a T100 race and notably the race in his hometown. However, Bergere has also been candid about battling sciatica, which he revealed on Instagram was limiting strength and sensitivity in his left leg. Whether he can overcome that physical challenge on home soil adds to the intrigue.
French star Vincent Luis also adds flair to the start line. Known for his bold style, he turned heads earlier this year with a San Francisco 49ers inspired race suit. Fans will be eager to see what custom creation he unveils on the Riviera.
Marten van Riel will once again be missing as he continues his journey to recovery.
The Ultimate Test Weekend
Two names – Pearson and Wilde – face an added twist. Both are attempting a doubleheader: the 100km T100 French Riviera on Saturday followed by the World Triathlon Championship Series sprint race on Sunday.
The professional men’s T100 race broadcast begins on Saturday August 30th at 06:45 CEST, with the race start at 07:05 CEST. Every second of the drama can be watched live, free and ad-free on PTO+.
The post T100 French Riviera Men’s Start List Announced: A Stacked Field Set for Saint-Raphael appeared first on Triathlon Magazine Canada.