Posted: October 13, 2007

Triathlon: Laurent Jalabert at today’s Ironman World Championships

Fifty two athletes from France will participate in the 2007 Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. One of the athletes representing France is former pro cyclist Laurent Jalabert. “Jaja” will do the second Ironman race of his life tomorrow, and might be doing his third at the Ironman France – Nice Triathlon on 22 of June 2008. Jalabert is the most decorated cyclist to ever give the Ford Ironman World Championship a try. He has won Paris-Nice three times, four stages of the Tour de France, three stages at the Giro d’Italia and stages at the Vuelta – plus the World Time Trial Championships. “After my first ever Ironman in June this year I had a month of a break in my training but I am still in good shape and look forward to racing here in Hawaii. I am a bad swimmer, so basically I will be very happy once on the bike. But I have nothing to prove – I have done so in my professional career. And I will have to spare some energy for the run which is quite hard for a cyclist since my muscles are not too used to that.” Jalabert of course understates – he ran a fantastic 3:11 marathon in June at the Ironman Switzerland. After Hawaii, his Ironman ambitions will not be over. “I am doing this for fun and I am savouring every minute of the race. I do not think I will stop after this Saturday’s event,” he says. Jaja is thinking about racing the Ironman France – Nice Triathlon on 22 June 2008 on the Côte d’Azur. Ironman France will take place for the 4th time next year. Almost 900 of the 1800 spots available have been sold already - 300 to a group of Mexicans who chartered an airplane to travel to the event as a group. Athletes who wish to race the Ironman France should sign up early to secure their entry and the race will be sold out soon. Greg Welch (former PRO triathlete from Australia), Laurent Jalabert (ex PRO cyclist) and André Karsai (Triangle France) at the interview in Kona, Hawaii. Photo: © kasee 2007 Ford Ironman World Championship 13 October 2007, start 7h00 (19h00 CET) 1800 participants from 52 countries 3.8km SWIM | 180km BIKE | 42.195km RUN Live Coverage: www.ironman.com French Coverage: www.triathlete.fr IRONMAN France – Nice Triathlon 22 June 2008 Registration limit: 1800 starters 3.8km SWIM | 180km BIKE | 42.195km RUN 50 qualifying spots for the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii 16 hours and more of show & sports on race day www.ironmanfrance.com Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest