Pre-race hype for this year\u2019s Cannes International Triathlon centred around the return to racing of Kona 2014 champ Sebastian Kienle (GER), but it was Italy\u2019s Giulio Molinari who romped home first, while Britain\u2019s Leanda Cave took gold in the women\u2019s race.<\/p>\n
Advertisement<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The race is quickly building a reputation as one of the most beautiful races on the calendar thanks to its location on the French Riviera, but offers a tough bike that demands strong climbing abilities and descending nous. The long-distance edition involves a 2km swim, 80km bike and 16k run.\u00a0<\/p>\n
>>> Jan Frodeno\u2019s 10 top tips for stepping up to iron distance<\/p>\n
Lining up in the men\u2019s race alongside Kienle and Molinari were Beijing 2008 gold medallist Jan Frodeno, Kona 2005 champ Faris Al Sultan, Romain Guillaume (FRA), Manuel Kueng (SUI) and Bjorn Andersson (SWE).<\/p>\n
Frenchman Frederick Belaubre led the men out of the water and once on the bike formed a lead group with Frodeno and Andersson, while Kienle trailed by several minutes. Molinari attacked hard on the bike and arrived in T2 with a 5min lead.<\/p>\n
Once on the run Molinari managed to keep Frodeno at bay despite some hard work by the latter, and the Italian crossed the line in 3:46:33 for victory.<\/p>\n
Women\u2019s race<\/p>\n
Cave\u2019s rivals in the women\u2019s race included defending champ Charlotte Morel (FRA), Denmark\u2019s Michelle Vesterby and Vanessa Raw (GBR). Cave had a slender lead coming out of the 2km two-loop swim and proceeded to build a margin of around 5mins on the tough bike course.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The 2002 Kona champion didn\u2019t let go of her hard-won lead on the run and crossed the line in 4:18:42, with Belgium\u2019s Alexandra Tondeur around 4mins behind. Britain\u2019s former ITU ace Vanessa Raw overtook defending champ Morel on the run for third place.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Top ten men<\/p>\n
1. Giulio Molinari (ITA) 3:46:33
2. Jan Frodeno (GER) 3:48:09
3. Sebastian Kienle (GER) 3:51:15
4. Romain Guillaume (FRA) 3:53:01
5. Herv\u00e9 Banti (MON) 3:54:20
6. Nicolas Fernandez (FRA) 3:55:50
7. Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric Belaubre (FRA) 3:56:41
8. Faris Al Sultan (GER) 3:56:46
9. Kevin Runstadler (SWI) 4:03:34
10. J\u00e9r\u00e9my Morel (FRA) 4:03:52<\/p>\n
Top ten women<\/p>\n
1. Leanda Cave (GBR) 4:18:42
2. Alexandra Tondeur (BEL) 4:22:20
3. Vanessa Raw (GBR) 4:25:16
4. Charlotte Morel (FRA) 4:26:28
5. Michelle Vesterby (DEN) 4:30:48
6. Martina Dogana (ITA) 4:33:03
7. Jenny Fletcher (CAN) 4:38:23
8. C\u00e9line Bousrez (FRA) 4:44:25
9. Erica Csomor (HUN) 4:45:46<\/p>\n
For full results from this year\u2019s race head here.<\/p>\n
Advertisement<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n