COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE
The Trans’roller – 6th Stage of the 2002 French Inline Cup.
Communiqué du 01/10/2002
Victory smiles once again upon Mikaël Lannezval (Saab Salomon, elite) and Sébastien Sergent (Rollerblade, National).
More than 800 participants traveled to Pontarlier, Sunday, September 29th for the second annual edition of the Trans’roller. The 39 km race benefited from the Trans’organization’s reputation and experience in running the cross country skiing extravaganza: the Transjurassienne. Despite the cold temperatures, Sunday morning was sunny and spectators were in abundance. The top French skaters were present with the end of the season finishing next week and the general ranking not yet definite in the elite and national men’s categories. Lannezval and Sergent, the respective leaders in their categories would need to confirm their positions at the top.
The race course was expected to be hilly and ideal for attacks and flyaways. However, the first four kilometers traversed the center of Pontarlier where many spectators witnessed the elite already in strict tactical action.
From the sound of the gun the attacks began immediately with Salomon’s Richard Deniaud proposing a flyaway. He was immediately chased-down by Jérôme Estrada (Rollerblade) and David Guibert (Mogema Vertical Line). It was plain that all the teams were ready to attack and counter attack in order to weed –out and tire the opposition.
Taking advantage of the series of attacks, Rollerblade’s national representative, Sebastien Sergent, took off for a solitary stroll of 5 kilometers on the sinewy, forested route. With approximately 25 skaters in the front pack, the Salomon team accelerated towards Sergent, knowing his single-minded persistence from former races and especially last year’s race in Dijon where on a similar flyaway he simply won the race.
David Guibert narrowly won the sprint into Malbuisson ahead of Benoît Perthuis of Rollerblade. For his sprinting exploit Guibert was awarded a special prize consisting of a ski trip for four persons. Just following the Malbuisson sprint, Vincent Esnault attacked during three kilometers while the pack kept an eye on him from behind. Finally, Alban Cherdel (Levallois SC) charged after him with Rollerblade’s Pierre Garand in tow. The three men did not stay gone long before being reeled-in by the Salomon team, well aware that the sprinter from Levallois needed to be kept tight within the pack.
For all the men in the front, the race really got going during the long incline between Gellin and Sarrageois, just eight kilometers from the finish. Lannezval put the pedal down and following close behind was his patient teammate Mathieu Boher. Co-mingling in the group of eight men who reached the summit first, were Damien Cochet (junior category, Salomon), Sébastien Babault (Salomon), David Guibert (Mogema Vertical Line), Thomas Boucher (Mapei), Sébastien Sergent and Pierre Garand (Rollerblade). Benoît Perthuis was trailing just behind and soon joined the second tight pack with Alban Cherdel and Philippe Boulard (Levallois SC).
Some trading of places between the two packs then took place with a strong acceleration on the part of Yannick Broustaud (Gujan Mestras) and Antoine Jacquier (Coulaines) forcing Cherdel, Esnault and Deniaud to get going as well. However, Pierre Garand let them go and fell back into the second pack.
At the front, Boher and Lannezval attacked and counter attacked and finally, Richard Deniaud, having just recovered from the effort of catching the first pack, launched the sprint for his leader. Mikaël Lannezval then won his second French Inline Cup stage of the season. Thomas Boucher took second place just in front of Mathieu Boher in third. Lannezval is sitting comfortably in first place in the overall ranking of the FIC and Sébastien Sergent having won his third stage of the 2002 FIC with 8th place overall at the Trans’roller guarantees his 1st place general ranking for national men and once again proves his truly excellent level.
The women’s race was largely disputed between four national skaters: Chrystelle Bouchet of ASTA Nantes, Karine Shirrer of Strasbourg, and the Paris University Club duo of Caroline Jean and Ghizlaine Samir. Bouchet finished first with an excellent time of 1h06’08. Samir and Jean finished second and third demonstrating the top level of the PUC Parisiennes.
The 2002 Trans’roller was a particularly rewarding stage of the FIC with its scenic par coarse,
welcoming organization and friendly spectators. Returning in 2003 will be a pleasure for all, however the last stage of the French Inline Cup 2002 looms ahead with the Vendée Roller Marathon next weekend, Sunday, October 6th in Les Herbiers. Be there or be square.
Text – Vincent Esnault
Translation – Monica Vidal
Results at www.transjurassienne.com
More than 800 participants traveled to Pontarlier, Sunday, September 29th for the second annual edition of the Trans’roller. The 39 km race benefited from the Trans’organization’s reputation and experience in running the cross country skiing extravaganza: the Transjurassienne. Despite the cold temperatures, Sunday morning was sunny and spectators were in abundance. The top French skaters were present with the end of the season finishing next week and the general ranking not yet definite in the elite and national men’s categories. Lannezval and Sergent, the respective leaders in their categories would need to confirm their positions at the top.
The race course was expected to be hilly and ideal for attacks and flyaways. However, the first four kilometers traversed the center of Pontarlier where many spectators witnessed the elite already in strict tactical action.
From the sound of the gun the attacks began immediately with Salomon’s Richard Deniaud proposing a flyaway. He was immediately chased-down by Jérôme Estrada (Rollerblade) and David Guibert (Mogema Vertical Line). It was plain that all the teams were ready to attack and counter attack in order to weed –out and tire the opposition.
Taking advantage of the series of attacks, Rollerblade’s national representative, Sebastien Sergent, took off for a solitary stroll of 5 kilometers on the sinewy, forested route. With approximately 25 skaters in the front pack, the Salomon team accelerated towards Sergent, knowing his single-minded persistence from former races and especially last year’s race in Dijon where on a similar flyaway he simply won the race.
David Guibert narrowly won the sprint into Malbuisson ahead of Benoît Perthuis of Rollerblade. For his sprinting exploit Guibert was awarded a special prize consisting of a ski trip for four persons. Just following the Malbuisson sprint, Vincent Esnault attacked during three kilometers while the pack kept an eye on him from behind. Finally, Alban Cherdel (Levallois SC) charged after him with Rollerblade’s Pierre Garand in tow. The three men did not stay gone long before being reeled-in by the Salomon team, well aware that the sprinter from Levallois needed to be kept tight within the pack.
For all the men in the front, the race really got going during the long incline between Gellin and Sarrageois, just eight kilometers from the finish. Lannezval put the pedal down and following close behind was his patient teammate Mathieu Boher. Co-mingling in the group of eight men who reached the summit first, were Damien Cochet (junior category, Salomon), Sébastien Babault (Salomon), David Guibert (Mogema Vertical Line), Thomas Boucher (Mapei), Sébastien Sergent and Pierre Garand (Rollerblade). Benoît Perthuis was trailing just behind and soon joined the second tight pack with Alban Cherdel and Philippe Boulard (Levallois SC).
Some trading of places between the two packs then took place with a strong acceleration on the part of Yannick Broustaud (Gujan Mestras) and Antoine Jacquier (Coulaines) forcing Cherdel, Esnault and Deniaud to get going as well. However, Pierre Garand let them go and fell back into the second pack.
At the front, Boher and Lannezval attacked and counter attacked and finally, Richard Deniaud, having just recovered from the effort of catching the first pack, launched the sprint for his leader. Mikaël Lannezval then won his second French Inline Cup stage of the season. Thomas Boucher took second place just in front of Mathieu Boher in third. Lannezval is sitting comfortably in first place in the overall ranking of the FIC and Sébastien Sergent having won his third stage of the 2002 FIC with 8th place overall at the Trans’roller guarantees his 1st place general ranking for national men and once again proves his truly excellent level.
The women’s race was largely disputed between four national skaters: Chrystelle Bouchet of ASTA Nantes, Karine Shirrer of Strasbourg, and the Paris University Club duo of Caroline Jean and Ghizlaine Samir. Bouchet finished first with an excellent time of 1h06’08. Samir and Jean finished second and third demonstrating the top level of the PUC Parisiennes.
The 2002 Trans’roller was a particularly rewarding stage of the FIC with its scenic par coarse,
welcoming organization and friendly spectators. Returning in 2003 will be a pleasure for all, however the last stage of the French Inline Cup 2002 looms ahead with the Vendée Roller Marathon next weekend, Sunday, October 6th in Les Herbiers. Be there or be square.
Text – Vincent Esnault
Translation – Monica Vidal
Results at www.transjurassienne.com
