With 5 athletes in action it was going to be a big weekend for the BMC Pro Triathlon Team. First up where Sam Dickinson, Antonion Benito Lopez, Laura Madsen and Lucy Byram. And what a day it turned out to be on the French Riviera. Sam Dickinson, making his debut in the T100 Series, produced a stellar performance taking 3rd place in Fréjus in a finishing time of 3:14:07. Team mate Lucy Byram (3:44:04) continued her incredibly consistent season with a fantastic 4th place finish, with Laura Madsen 8th (3:46:06) and Antonio Benito Lopez 9th completing the team success. The win in the women's race was for Ashleigh Gentle (AUS: 3:41:42) ahead of Paula Findlay (CAN: 3:42:33) and India Lee (GBR: 3:43:21) completing the podium. In the men's race Hayden Wilde continued his winning streak (NZL: 3:12:23) edging out Jelle Geens in second (BEL: 3:12:45), with Sam Dickinson completing the podium.
Sam Dickinson started his race with a fantastic swim, leading out until the first boy. Halfway through at the Australian exit, Sam was 2nd diving in for the second lap. After a strong swim, Dickinson exited the water in 2nd place. After a blistering transition, the British athlete jumped on his bike first and pushed on straigth away. In the first 10km on the bike a lead group of 6 was formed, with Smith dropping away due to a mechinal. The five leaders, including Dickinson, started the climb with an advantage of 2' on a big chase group of 8 with Antonio Benito Lopez. Once on the climb Bogen put the hammer down and opened up a small gap together with Wild. Margirier, Geens and Dickinson followed at 40" at the top of the hill, the chase group followed 3 minutes further. During the long downhill and flatter section riding back into town the gap stayed consistent, with the two leaders entering transition with a 48" cushion on the chase group with Dickinson. The second chase group with Antonio had lost more ground coming in with a deficit of 5'54 to the leaders.
After another fast transition Sam started running in 5th place, 37" from the lead. In the opening stages of the run, Dickinson immediately took over 4th place and was on the hunt for 3rd. 5K in and the BMC athlete had bridged the gap to Bogen in 3rd. Sam continued to run a strong pace and at the halfway mark, had opened up a small gap on Bogen. From then onwards Dickinson was able to extend his advantage taking firm control of third. After a superb allround performance, Sam Dickinson crossed the finishing line clinching the final podium spot and that on his T100 Series debut. Team mate Antonio Benito Lopez, had a strong day as well running himself to 9th. Two weeks out from the Ironman World Championship a clear indication fitness is on point.
What a day
"It was one of those days were everything came together and went my way", Dickinson added. "I led out the swim to the first boy, from then onwards I could settle in second in Morgan's feet and safe some energy for the bike. I smashed it through T1 to get first on the bike. I held the lead for quite some time. When the others started coming round, I made sure to go with them. When I looked back there was nobody there and knew that would be the lead group for the day. I was committed all the time and making sure to stay in the race all day long. When we got of to the run I noticed Bogen was fading a bit and knew that was the fight for 3rd. I made sure to stay patient and trust in my own pacing strategy. And with two laps to go I was pretty nailed on. I focused on my nutrition and made sure to stay cool. I am over the moon to get on that podium. This really sets us up for the rest of the season. I am absolutely buzzing".
Lucy Byram takes 4th, Laura Madsen 8th
In the women's race Lucy Byram and Laura Madsen, added to the team success with two excellent performances. Byram, who has been racing constistantely strong throughout the Series, claimed a fantastic 4th place finish. Lucy exited the water in 9th, produced a strong bike performance riding herself to 5th and followed up with an excellent run to take 4th, 43" from the podium. Team mate Laura Madsen ran herself to her best T100 finish, taking 8th place on the French Riviera. Madsen set the 4th fastest bike split of the day and pushed hard on the run to take 8th.
Miguel Hidalgo takes third WTCS podium of the season finishing 3rd in the French Riviera
No stopping Hidalgo this year. After a 3rd place finish at WTCS Yokohama, a magnificent victory at WTCS Alghero, the Brazilian added another podium finish to his season tally this time at WTCS French Riviera. The BMC athlete completed the podium, with Hauser taking the win, ahead of Vilaca.
"I am so happy for his weekend", Hidalgo reflected. "The choppy water helped us to break away and open a bit of a gap. Today I was feeling good on the swim, good on the bike, and then on the run as well. I am quite happy with my third today, it is my best result in a sprint distance so far. It's great to be back on the podium. Now it's full focus on the last 3 races of the season. I am going to do WTCS Karlovy Vary and Wollongong Finals, and then I am going to do the 70.3 World Championships in Marbella. Three races to go, Im feeling good".
